The European Commission is set to award European airline groups a victory of sorts when it extends passenger protection and compensation regulations to all transport modes.
A White Paper covering the existing controversial air transport passenger rights, the proposed rail passenger protection and new rules covering ferry and coach travel is expected to be published in July. The lack of equality, with airlines bound by stricter rules than competitors, was a central complaint of airline associations during debates over the new European compensation and assistance package for air passengers delayed or denied boarding due to overbooking.
An EC source says a proposed bill of rights for disabled air passengers has been postponed, because of "significant opposition" from airline groups in Brussels over the extra burden on air transport. The European Regions Airline Association has led the call for an end to "discrimination against air transport".
JUSTIN WASTNAGE / LONDON
Source: Flight International
