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Tourists from Britain have been alerted that updated European Union regulations might decrease the compensation provided for delayed flights.
The updated regulations may offer less protection to vacationers following the agreement of EU transport ministers. The revised rules will reduce compensation amounts for delayed flights and extend the duration required for a delay before compensation becomes applicable.
The recently approved regulations, which were settled earlier this week, will impact short and medium-haul trips covering less than 3,500 kilometers. Travel Weekly reports.
Suggestions entail cutting compensation for delays from €400 to €300 for flights within 3,500 kilometers, and from €600 to €500 for those covering greater distances.
Compensation is now available exclusively when the delay reaches six hours or more, an increase from the previous threshold of merely four hours.
Airlines may reject compensation claims solely due to 'unforeseeable and insurmountable situations' provided they have made all possible efforts to minimize delays or cancellations.
Following lobbying from airlines, the modifications stipulate that compensation for delays should be provided only when short-haul, within Europe, flights experience delays of at least five hours, and long-haul flights face delays of nine hours or longer.
They contended that airlines were canceling more flights than necessary due to delays caused by congestion or technical issues.
Under the new regulations, travelers may be redirected due to delays or cancellations. Passengers might be requested to use another airline or an alternate form of transportation to ensure they arrive at their final destination.
Should rerouting not be offered within three hours, travelers have the option to arrange their own travel plans and may request a reimbursement for up to 400 percent of the initial fare cost.
These revisions will include clearer definitions of passengers' entitlements regarding assistance, offering more transparent information about the support provided, their rights, and what they can expect such as meals, refreshments, and lodging. Additionally, passengers may be permitted to leave the vessel during extended delays, irrespective of whether they have already embarked.
Ourania Georgoutsakou, who serves as the managing director of Brussels-based Airlines for Europe (A4E), representing leading European airlines, stated: "For twelve long years, Europe has anticipated clear and practical passenger rights, but unfortunately, member states have stumbled at the last obstacle."
Instead of setting delay limits of five and nine hours that could rescue up to 70% of canceled flights, member states weakened the European Commission’s initial suggestion and added further complications.
These modifications would mark the initial updates to EU Regulation 261 since its inception in 2004, following 12 years of halted talks on amendments initially proposed in 2013, as reported by the publication.
A statement made on behalf of the Council of Ministers after reaching an agreement stated: "This revision addresses the necessity for more straightforward and clear regulations with the aim of achieving a better equilibrium between ensuring robust passenger protections and maintaining both network integrity and fair competition within the aviation industry."
The updated regulations seek to enhance and specify various current air traveler protections, along with the addition of certain new entitlements.
'The key rights that were enhanced encompass the right to be redirected, the entitlement to receive aid, and the provision for obtaining information.'
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