The European Union (EU) has reached a political agreement on a wide-ranging update to air passenger rights legislation, introducing new rules on compensation, fare transparency, accessibility and airline booking practices.
The agreement, reached between the European Parliament and the Council of the EU, marks the first major revision of the passenger rights framework since the rules were originally introduced more than two decades ago.
Compensation Rights
While the core compensation system remains unchanged, the revised regulation seeks to clarify existing provisions and address areas that have generated disputes between passengers, airlines and national enforcement bodies.
Under the agreement, passengers will continue to be entitled to compensation when flights are cancelled or delayed by at least three hours. Compensation levels remain set at 250 EUR for flights under 1,500 kilometres, 400 EUR for flights between 1,500 and 3,500 kilometres, and 600 EUR for flights exceeding 3,500 kilometres.
One of the most significant changes concerns how airlines communicate with passengers following disruptions. Carriers will be required to proactively inform passengers of their rights and the compensation claims process within 96 hours of a cancellation or delay. The agreement also aims to simplify claims procedures.
Extraordinary Circumstances
The revised framework introduces a defined list of what constitutes “extraordinary circumstances,” which are situations in which airlines may be exempt from paying compensation.
The changes are intended to provide greater consistency in how the rules are interpreted and applied across member states, reducing uncertainty for both travellers and airlines.
Greater Fare Transparency
The agreement also strengthens requirements on fare transparency, including the presentation of hand baggage charges.
Passengers will be able to compare fares more easily across airlines and booking platforms, while airlines will continue to have discretion over how they structure and price their services.
Cancelling Return Flights
Another notable change is the prohibition of so-called “no-show” policies on return journeys.
Under some existing airline practices, passengers who miss or choose not to take the outbound portion of a ticket can have the return segment automatically cancelled. The revised rules will prevent airlines from denying boarding on the return flight in such circumstances and prohibit additional charges for allowing passengers to use the return leg.
Support for Passengers With Disabilities
The agreement introduces enhanced protections for passengers with reduced mobility and disabilities, including improved assistance during travel disruptions and stronger safeguards for mobility equipment.
The Commission described the changes as an important step towards making air travel more accessible across the EU.
New Passenger Rights Label
The scope of the regulation remains unchanged. It will continue to cover all flights departing from the EU, as well as flights arriving in the EU when operated by EU-based carriers.
To improve awareness of passenger protections, airlines will be able to display a dedicated “EU Passenger Rights” label indicating the rights applicable to a journey.
Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, said:Today's agreement is a major step forward for European passengers and for Europe's aviation sector. It delivers stronger and clearer passenger rights in practice, improves transparency, and brings legal certainty for airlines and authorities. We have found the right balance: preserving Europe’s world-leading passenger protection while creating a fair, predictable and workable framework for the aviation industry. This agreement demonstrates that Europe can deliver practical solutions that benefit citizens and businesses alike. I would like to thank the European Parliament, the Council and the Presidency for their commitment and determination in reaching this agreement.
The political agreement must now be formally approved by both the European Parliament and the Council before becoming law.
Once adopted and published in the Official Journal of the European Union, the revised rules will enter into force after a 12-month implementation period.
The reform concludes a legislative process that began with a proposal from the European Commission in 2013 and has since been shaped by rulings from the Court of Justice of the European Union and negotiations under successive EU Council presidencies.
