6:27 19 June 2026
EU backs air passengers
European Union lawmakers have reached a compromise on long-awaited reforms to air-passenger rights, paving the way for new rules that would strengthen consumer protections while drawing criticism from airlines over rising compliance costs.
Under the proposed regulations, passengers would be entitled to carry a personal item free of charge, while airlines would have to display fares that include cabin baggage. The reforms would also simplify compensation claims for flight cancellations and delays of more than three hours, with payouts remaining unchanged at between €250 and €600 depending on route length.
Additional measures would prohibit airlines from charging families to seat children next to parents and strengthen protections for passengers with disabilities and pregnant women.
Airlines, including Poland's Enter Air and Hungary's Wizz Air, argue the rules fail to address the root causes of delays, such as air-traffic-control constraints and airport disruptions. Industry groups warn the changes could add billions of euros in annual costs and eventually put upward pressure on ticket prices, although some aviation analysts believe carriers will adapt without significantly affecting fares.
Source: pb.pl
