MEPs succeed in defending statutory compensation, but lose the battle over free cabin luggage
Airlines will no longer be able to charge passengers to sit next to their children, and travellers will retain the current right to compensation for delays of more than three hours, under a provisional deal backed by EU national representatives after 13 years of talks.
The agreement, reached on Friday, still requires formal approval from the European Parliament’s negotiators on the conciliation committee on 15 June – the final legal deadline before the reform is shelved.
Thirteen years after the EU executive proposed updating passenger rights for the era of no-frills flying, Parliament’s lead negotiators appear to have succeeded in forcing governments to back down.
European capitals had sided with airlines in calling for lower levels of statutory compensation, which they said should only become due after even lengthier delays, with carriers warning more robust protection for passengers would drive up ticket prices.
