New EU passenger rights: Please don't cause more frustration for annoyed passengers

Brussels. The plane doesn't arrive at the terminal on time, the crew is sick, or the flight is overbooked: anyone who wants to fly on vacation often needs strong nerves. But according to the wishes of the EU member states, passengers will be compensated less frequently for this stress in the future. Instead of receiving compensation for a three-hour delay, as is currently the case, compensation will only be paid after four or even six hours, depending on the distance to the destination. A sell-out of passenger rights that rightly raises concerns about the lack of sensitivity of European governments.

If this change comes into effect, it would have far-reaching consequences: Approximately 30 percent of passengers are affected by delays – and the trend is rising – most of them between two and four hours. A large proportion of travelers would therefore miss out in the future.

The EU member states' plan represents a step backward in consumer protection. The stated goal of relieving the burden on companies must not result in travelers being stuck in waiting areas and airplane cabins for hours without even being entitled to compensation. Especially since Europe's airlines have been generating billions in profits again since the end of the coronavirus pandemic.

Airlines argue that replacement flights usually can't be arranged within three hours. Therefore, passengers often forgo an additional flight, as compensation is due anyway. However, no one knows whether this practice would actually change with later compensation deadlines. The danger is that passengers will miss out more often and airlines will have to pay less often.

Fewer financial consequences mean less incentive for airlines to invest in punctuality at all. Airlines that don't have to fear severe penalties for delays won't invest in replacement crews, reserve aircraft, or better crisis management. Instead, efficiency at any cost counts – at the expense of passengers.

It's particularly bitter that the EU, of all countries—actually a global pioneer in consumer protection—is now in the process of dismantling these hard-won standards. Air passenger rights have been considered a model far beyond Europe. Their weakening sends a fatal message. The message to citizens must not be: When it comes to the interests of large corporations, consumer rights take a back seat.

Now it's up to the EU Parliament to stand up for the proven rules and decisively reject the EU member states' proposal. It cannot accept that consumer rights are sacrificed to the profit interests of airlines. Anyone who allows compensation claims to be reduced today opens the door to further cuts. If Brussels doesn't want to lose people's trust, it would do well to strengthen their rights instead of dismantling them.