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RECOMMENDATION FOR SECOND READING (10015/1/2025 – C100228/2025 – 2013/0072(COD))

On the Council position at first reading with a view to the adoption of a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 establishing common rules on compensation and assistance to passengers in the event of denied boarding and of cancellation or long delay of flights and Regulation (EC) No 2027/97 on air carrier liability in respect of the carriage of passengers and their baggage by air

A-10-2026-0001

Committee on Transport and Tourism · Rapporteur: Andrey Novakov

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Parliament's amended version of the proposed regulation amending EU rules on air passenger rights and air carrier liability. It strengthens passenger rights, clarifies extraordinary circumstances, and updates compensation rules.

Committee position. The Committee on Transport and Tourism recommends that Parliament adopt its position at second reading, amending the Council's position to strengthen passenger rights and reject any rollback.

Key points

  1. Confirms the aim to strengthen passenger rights and codify Court of Justice rulings, without downgrading existing standards.
  2. Defines extraordinary circumstances as events not inherent in the air carrier's activity and outside its control, with an exhaustive list in the Annex.
  3. Sets compensation at EUR 300 for journeys of 1 500 km or less, EUR 400 for journeys above 1 500 km and up to 3 500 km, and EUR 600 for journeys above 3 500 km.
  4. Establishes a right to compensation for delays at arrival of three hours or more, regardless of journey distance.
  5. Requires air carriers to provide pre-filled forms for reimbursement and compensation within 48 hours of disruption.
  6. Mandates that passengers always have the right to carry one personal item and one piece of hand baggage (max 100 cm sum and 7 kg) without extra charge.
  7. Obliges air carriers to provide financial security for reimbursement or repatriation in case of insolvency or suspension of operations.
  8. Requires national enforcement bodies to be independent and strengthens their powers, including cross-border cooperation and inspections by the Commission.
  9. Mandates that out-of-court dispute resolution bodies' decisions are binding on air carriers and intermediaries.
  10. Extends the regulation's scope to all journeys within the Union and to flights arriving from third countries, regardless of carrier nationality.
  11. Requires airports with annual passenger traffic of at least 4 million for three consecutive years to have contingency plans for multiple disruptions.
  12. Provides specific protections for persons with disabilities, reduced mobility, and children, including free adjacent seating and pram transport to the aircraft door.

Who is affected

  • Air passengers: gain stronger rights to compensation, assistance, and information, including for delays and cancellations.
  • Air carriers: face new obligations on compensation, information, and financial security, but gain clarity on extraordinary circumstances.
  • Airport managing bodies: must provide facilities and contingency plans at larger airports.
  • National enforcement bodies: become independent and have enhanced enforcement powers.
  • Intermediaries: must inform passengers of rights and handle complaints.

Figures and deadlines

  • EUR 300 for journeys of 1 500 km or less.
  • EUR 400 for journeys above 1 500 km and up to 3 500 km.
  • EUR 600 for journeys above 3 500 km.
  • Three hours or more delay at arrival triggers compensation.
  • 48 hours to provide pre-filled forms.
  • 7 working days for reimbursement or compensation payment.
  • 4 million passengers annual traffic threshold for contingency plans.
  • 100 cm sum and 7 kg for hand baggage.

Legal basis: Article 294(7) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union