International

The European Parliament wants to see more protection for air travellers than the European Commission is proposing, according to the result of today’s vote in the Internal Market Committee. SP Euro-MP Dennis de Jong, commenting on the vote, says that ‘my proposals that passengers who are unable to board their first flight should not be excluded for longer than the next flight or return flight were adopted. So soon you will no longer have to waste your entire holiday if you miss the outward flight.’

In addition to this new right, passengers will enjoy more rights if they are stranded abroad as a result of a disaster and cannot fly home. ‘The Commission proposal was that passengers should be compensated for a maximum three nights’ hotel costs, and we’ve upped that to five nights, while the maximum per night has been raised from €100 to €175,’ says De Jong, adding that ‘that’s a lot of money but hotels in the vicinity of airports are often dear. Of course passengers will have to take the first possibleflight. The rules aren’t intended to provide for a longer holiday but in cases of need to take good care of stranded passengers.’

Finally, the problems experienced by passengers when they are faced with weaker rights on return flights to Europe have been addressed. ‘What you book is what you get,’ says De Jong. ‘If you book your flight in Europe and leave from Europe then you will continue, on both outward and return flights, to be covered by European passenger’ rights.’ The proposal must still be voted on in the Transport Committee and the plenary meeting in Strasbourg.