Speed up Travel, Delay Payments? Air Transport Lobby Suggests Looser Compensation Rules
Lobbyists within the aviation sector push for extended compensation deadlines. - Proposals by the Commission have been put forward to address the issue.
Let's cut to the chase—the German air transport lobby BDL wants to shake things up in the European air travel scene. They're proposing longer deadlines for passing out air travel compensation, effectively moving the three-hour claim mark to five hours. This, they claim, will make for fewer disruptions and improved passenger travel experiences.
The BDL boss, Joachim Lang, puts it straightforwardly: people don't want a quick cash payout; they want to get home asap. Under the current situation, airlines often shy away from renting replacement aircraft with crews due to extra penalty payments. Instead, passengers get shuffled onto later flights. According to Lang, this could mean waiting a day or more for your return flight.
But here's the thing—consumer advocates and flight passenger portals are not too keen on this proposal. They predict that around 80% of those affected would no longer qualify for compensation if the deadline extension goes through. Yikes!
Even the new Federal Minister of Justice and Consumer Protection, Stefanie Hubig (SPD), is against this idea. The transport ministers will debate the air passenger regulation on Thursday. To enact any changes, they'll need the EU Parliament's approval.
The Battle of Interests
Arguments for Extending Compensation Deadlines
The BDL believes that extending deadlines gives airlines more time to get replacement aircraft and keeps passengers moving. Joachim Lang also states that this move could reduce last-minute cancellations and rebookings, cutting down on delays.
Arguments Against Extending Compensation Deadlines
Consumer advocates argue that extending deadlines would weaken passenger rights, potentially depriving up to 80% of affected passengers of compensation. They also claim the current regulations already provide enough compensation for travel inconveniences and that elongating deadlines could harm the principle of accountability for airlines' service quality.
Politicians like MEP Mohammed Chahim stress the importance of treating passengers fairly, pointing out that they pay for a service and should be compensated when it goes awry. With the proposed changes focusing more on airline interests rather than passenger rights, they object strongly.
The Justice Minister, Stefanie Hubig, and like-minded individuals prefer strengthening passenger rights over weakening them, ensuring a fair deal for travelers when delays and cancellations occur.
- Extended Deadlines
- Compensation
- Joachim Lang
- Brussels
- Berlin
- Joachim Lang, the BDL boss, suggests that extending compensation deadlines for air travel would give airlines more time to arrange replacement aircraft, thereby reducing disruptions and improving passenger travel experiences.
- According to consumer advocates, extending deadlines for air travel compensation could potentially deprive up to 80% of affected passengers of the compensation they are currently entitled to under the existing regulations.
- The new Federal Minister of Justice and Consumer Protection, Stefanie Hubig (SPD), along with MEP Mohammed Chahim, emphasizes the importance of treating passengers fairly and ensuring passenger rights are not weakened in favor of airline interests.
- The transport ministers will debate the air passenger regulation on Thursday, and any changes they enact will require approval from the EU Parliament, signifying a significant role of policy-and-legislation and politics in this matter.
