The European Commission is considering amending the 2004 EU Air Passenger Rights Regulation, which provides for compensation payments for passengers in the event of flight delays, overbooking, or cancellations. However, the current reform efforts could lead to a significant weakening of the existing regulations by significantly increasing the time limits for compensation claims. This is already drawing criticism from consumer advocates who fear a weakening of passenger rights.
Under current regulations, passengers are entitled to compensation of €250, €400, or €600 for delays of three hours or more, depending on the flight route. The EU Commission's proposals now being discussed stipulate that this compensation obligation only applies to significantly longer waiting times: five hours for short-haul flights (up to 3.500 km), nine hours for medium-haul flights (up to 6.000 km), and twelve hours for long-haul flights (over 6.000 km). Cases in which the delay or cancellation is due to extraordinary circumstances continue to be excluded. EU passenger rights apply to all flights departing from an EU airport or operated by a European airline to an EU airport.
The Upper Austrian Chamber of Labor expresses concern about these plans and warns of significant disadvantages for travelers. President Andreas Stangl emphasizes that an increase in waiting times would result in a large proportion of passengers losing their right to compensation, as most flight delays are between two and four hours. He criticizes that this would remove an incentive for airlines to ensure punctuality and instead calls for a strengthening of passenger rights. The Chamber of Labor already supports its members in enforcing passenger rights and also calls for the retention of current regulations, an adjustment of compensation amounts to the price level, Europe-wide insolvency protection for airline tickets, improved information obligations for airlines, and better accessibility for customer inquiries and complaints.