Passenger rights in danger: EU is planning massive cuts for passengers!

Passenger rights in danger: EU is planning massive cuts for passengers!

Brüssel, Belgien - This day, June 5, 2025, the EU Transport Minister gather: Inside to the Minister Council to advise on the planned reform of the EU Air Gastrechtrecht Regulation. The reform is already spreading to broad resistance and could bring serious changes to passengers. According to [ots] (https://www.ots.at/presseaus-sung/ots_20250605_ots0031/spoe-schieder-bruchlandung- fuer flight right-wing threat), the compensation claims for those affected are severely restricted, which may significantly impair the rights of the passengers.

While the current regulation provides for compensation for hours of flight delays, the EU Commission proposes to raise the threshold for compensation payments. In the future, compensation should only be possible after delays of five to twelve hours, depending on the flight distance. These changes could estimate that around 80% of the current compensation cases could no longer be claimed.

reactions to the reform

Andreas Schieder, the Delegation Head of the SPÖ, commented concerns about the planned measures. He described the reform as a "dangerous step backwards for passenger rights" and warns of a "knee in front of the flight lobby". Schieder emphasizes that Airlines have to be responsible for delays and flight cancellations, since the obligation to compensate is an incentive for punctual flies. Without this pressure, longer delays could become the norm, which would be unacceptable for consumer rights.

In order to maintain the interests of the passengers, Schieder announced that the Ministerial Council should agree to the changes in the European Parliament.

Current regulations and claims

The Passenger Rights Ordinance regulates the claims of passengers in flight delays, cancellations and overbooking. These claims are particularly relevant when the starting airport is located in the EU or if the target airport and the airline are located in the EU, as the [Consumer Center] (https://www. consumerzentral.de/wissen/reis- Reise-mobilitaet/unterwegs-sein/faq-zu-flitrechten-alles--rund-ums--39125). Affected passengers are entitled to replacement transportation, compensation and support services such as meals and hotel costs, unless the airline can demonstrate exceptional circumstances.

Currently, passengers can request compensation from a delay of three hours. The amount of these compensation payments varies: for flights of up to 1,500 km it is 250 euros, up to 3,500 km 400 euros and even 600 euros for flights over 3,500 km. In the case of the planned changes, on the other hand, the minimum waiting period could be raised to up to five hours. This would be a significant hurdle for using compensation.

discussions at EU level

The reform is also discussed internally in the EU countries, where some member states have already expressed concerns. There is currently no agreement, and further negotiations are scheduled for the coming Thursday. Consumer protection groups warn that the changes could be regarded as a step backwards for passengers. There is also the desire to revise the definition of "extraordinary circumstances" in order to strengthen consumer protection rights.

The Federal Government in Germany adheres to the current regulation, which provides for compensation from three hours, while other countries argue that an increase in this threshold could reduce the number of flight cancellations. The discussions are complicated and still need intensive talks, not least between the traffic ministers and the European Parliament.

The coming days will be crucial for the European Passenger Rights Ordinance - another option to steer consumer rights in Europe could be available.