The European Parliament has reaffirmed its support for strong air passenger rights, voting to maintain compensation for delays of over three hours and to simplify reimbursement procedures. In a session on Wednesday, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) adopted their position on the revision of EU air passenger rights rules with 632 votes in favor, 15 against, and nine abstentions.
The Parliament’s stance comes after EU member states suggested changes in June 2025 that would have weakened existing protections. These rules, in place since 2004, are designed to protect passengers from travel disruptions.
MEPs oppose the Council’s proposal to increase the delay threshold for compensation from three hours to four or six hours depending on flight distance. They also want to keep current compensation amounts between €300 and €600 based on flight length, whereas member state governments have proposed lowering the upper limit to €500.
Parliament supports limiting airline responsibility only to situations within their control but calls for an updated and exhaustive list of “extraordinary circumstances”—such as natural disasters or labor disputes—that exempt airlines from paying compensation. MEPs urge that this list be regularly reviewed by the European Commission.
Both Parliament and Council agree that airlines should provide refreshments every two hours after a delay begins, a meal after three hours, and accommodation for up to three nights if needed during long delays. The three-night cap is intended to help airlines manage costs more predictably.
To streamline claims processes, MEPs propose that airlines send pre-filled forms for compensation or reimbursement within 48 hours of any disruption—covering both cancellations and long delays. Under these rules, travelers would have one year to submit their claims. The Council’s version requires such forms only after cancellations.
Additional measures backed by Parliament include allowing each passenger one personal item and one small piece of hand luggage at no extra charge; removing fees for correcting name errors or checking in; and ensuring passengers can choose between digital or paper boarding passes.
Special attention is given to travelers with disabilities or reduced mobility. The text states these passengers should receive compensation and assistance if they miss flights due to airport failures. Pregnant women, infants with an accompanying person, children in prams, and people with reduced mobility should get priority boarding; companions must be seated next to them without extra charges.
Rapporteur Andrey Novakov (EPP, BG) said: “Parliament is ready to continue the fight for clearer and more predictable rules for airlines and a stronger aviation sector, but not at the expense of passengers. Our baseline is clear: we are determined to improve rather than dilute air passenger rights. We insist that reducing delays has significant overall benefits for Europe’s economy. Therefore, the three-hour threshold for compensation, the existing compensation levels, pre-filled forms and enforceable safeguards remain our red lines. We are counting on EU transport ministers to reconsider their position so that together we may find a mutually acceptable outcome. Citizens expect us to deliver.”
Next steps involve sending Parliament’s position back to the Council under second reading procedure. If all amendments are not accepted by the Council, a Conciliation Committee will be formed in order to reach agreement on final legislation.
Reform efforts date back over a decade: proposals first emerged in 2014 but were stalled until June 2025 when EU ministers reached political consensus allowing negotiations with Parliament—though talks failed later that year leading up to this vote.
