The European Parliament and EU member states have reached a deal on updated air passenger rights, in what is being described as one of the most significant reforms in the sector for more than a decade.
Virginijus Sinkevičius, the Lithuanian MEP who led the European Parliament's negotiating team, said the agreement had succeeded in protecting the most important passenger rights while also bringing greater clarity for travellers across the EU.
"Passengers must not become the price of compromise," Sinkevičius said. "There was considerable pressure during these negotiations to weaken the rights that exist today, but the European Parliament resisted that. We managed to preserve the core compensation guarantees, while also achieving new protections that matter to people in their everyday lives – from the right for families to sit together, to stronger safeguards for passengers with disabilities."
What will change for passengers?
Among the most significant new measures:
