The European Council has just agreed new rules for the continent's aviation industry which it says will ‘protect passengers’. The new rules include a ban on denying passengers boarding for a return flight if they did not take the corresponding outbound flight, also called ‘no shows’.
There are also new rights for people with reduced mobility, such as compensation at airports which don’t meet accessibility standards, and a guarantee specialised equipment will be replaced free of charge if it is lost.
However, the most eye-catching rule is a requirement that airlines must show you the price of a ticket with hand luggage at the start of the booking process, rather than hook customers in with a cheaper, basic fare and hit them with baggage charges at the checkout.
The new rules are expected to come into effect in mid-2027. They apply to passengers flying within the EU, flying to the EU, and departing from the EU.
Non-EU airlines are still bound by the same rules. While UK passengers are not guaranteed the same rights, experts believe it would be difficult for European airlines to follow two sets of guidelines, making it likely Brits will get the same treatment.
Transport secretary Heidi Alexander is mulling writing the same rights into law, Sky News reports.
Cypriot politician Alexis Vafeades announced the new laws, saying: “This modernized framework will deliver certainty, fairness and stronger protection for millions of European air passengers. The agreement strikes a fair balance for our airlines, helping preserve connectivity that is vital to the EU’s internal market and its citizens.”
The compensation rights for passengers during cancellations and delays have largely remained similar, being set at €250 for flights less than 1,500km, €400 for flights between 1,500km and 3,500km, and €600 for all other flights.
During delays, passengers are entitled to refreshments every two hours, a meal after three hours, and every five hours thereafter (up to three meals per day), and internet access and two phone calls.
