Sunday, June 8, 2025

The EU has approved sweeping reforms to air passenger rights, extending delay times before compensation is allowed—sparking backlash from travelers and advocates.

Air passengers flying within the European Union may soon face stricter criteria when seeking compensation for flight delays, as EU member states have agreed on a new framework that significantly alters the current rules. Under the revised proposal, travelers on short-haul flights will only be eligible for compensation if their delay exceeds four hours. Passengers on long-distance flights would only qualify for compensation if their delay extends to six hours or beyond.

This marks a major shift from the current EU regulation, which allows compensation claims for delays of more than three hours, regardless of flight distance. The newly approved changes aim to update the long-standing passenger rights regulation in light of modern aviation demands, operational complexities, and the evolving landscape of air travel disruptions.

As part of the proposal, compensation amounts are also being adjusted. While travelers on short-haul flights will see their potential payout increase from €250 to €300, those on long-haul journeys could receive less, with the current €600 maximum being reduced to €500. These changes reflect a broader balancing act between protecting passenger rights and easing the financial burden on airlines operating under strained schedules and infrastructure challenges.

The move is part of a larger reform of the EU’s air passenger rights regulation, which was first put forward by the European Commission in 2013. It has taken twelve years of extensive negotiations among member states to reach a consensus on key provisions, particularly the timing thresholds for delay-related compensation. The proposal, however, is not yet finalized—it must still go through the European Parliament for further discussion and approval before becoming legally binding across the bloc.

Not everyone is welcoming the new framework. The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) has voiced strong opposition, warning that the new delay thresholds could deny compensation to a vast majority of passengers. According to BEUC, most flight delays fall between two and four hours, meaning a significant number of travelers may lose access to compensation under the updated rules.

On the other hand, airline industry representatives are also expressing dissatisfaction—albeit for different reasons. Airlines for Europe (A4E), a leading trade association representing major carriers like Ryanair, easyJet, and Lufthansa, has argued that the revised rules still do not go far enough. The group had advocated for even longer delay thresholds before compensation becomes applicable, citing the need for operational flexibility and cost control in a highly competitive industry.

Interestingly, the original draft of the reform was even more stringent. The European Commission had initially proposed compensation eligibility only after five hours of delay for short-haul flights and up to nine hours for long-haul services. While the new agreement is slightly more lenient, it still represents a substantial tightening of the existing rules.

In addition to the changes in compensation timing and amounts, the agreement also introduces several passenger-focused enhancements. These include a guaranteed “right to rerouting” in cases of extensive delays, the automation of claim forms to simplify the compensation process, and reinforced protections for travelers with disabilities or reduced mobility. These measures are designed to offer some balance by improving customer service while revising compensation eligibility.

Although the United Kingdom is no longer a member of the EU, the changes may still impact British travelers. The UK currently follows its own air passenger rights framework, adapted from previous EU rules. According to UK law, passengers can claim compensation if their flight arrives more than three hours late—assuming the delay wasn’t caused by extraordinary circumstances.

Compensation under UK rules ranges from £220 for short-haul delays to as much as £520 for long-haul delays, although this can be reduced to £260 if the arrival delay is under four hours. However, an EU official has clarified that the new EU compensation rules will apply to all flights operated by EU-based airlines. As a result, UK passengers flying to or from the EU with an EU carrier could find themselves subject to the new compensation thresholds and payout adjustments, regardless of where the flight originated.