European lawmakers agreed on Monday to European Union member states’ proposal to keep the current three-hour flight delay threshold for compensation in the EU’s next set of airline passenger rights, ending a decade-long debate.
The 27 member states had agreed on Friday to maintain the current level of compensation that airlines must pay passengers in case of delays.
The European Commission, the EU executive, proposed more than a decade ago to reduce the amounts passengers were entitled to. The issue had pitted airlines, which demanded more flexibility to remain competitive, against consumer protection associations. Both sides lobbied EU institutions for years.
Under rules in place since 2004, passengers on flights delayed by more than three hours can claim compensation from €250 ($290.05) up to €600, depending on the length of the flight.
The Commission had proposed to raise the threshold for compensation to four hours and member states had sought to cap the amount at €500, although after years of debate, EU countries and the European Parliament finally agreed on a status quo.
