Regional airlines have won several key victories in their battle with the European Commission to limit compensation and assistance packages to passengers on cancelled flights. Despite changes to liability for connecting flights and a nine-month delay to the proposal's implementation, the European Regions Airline Association (ERA) still describes the final draft as "unacceptable".
Giorgio Lisi, the European Parliament member who drafted the bill, says: "The more than 1.1 million people affected by denied boarding each year will be pleased to hear the proposals fixing financial compensations for overbooking and assistance in the case of long delays."
Andrew Clark, director of air policy for the ERA, says the association welcomes the bill's new definition of a cancellation, which permits airlines to cancel flights seven days before the scheduled departure. However, the ERA estimates the combined cost of compensation to European air travellers is likely to be around €3 million ($3.5 million) a day. It is particularly concerned that its members will be responsible for returning passengers on regional feeders to their original point of departure, even if outside the European Union.
In addition to compensation of €250-600, airlines will have to pay for meals and accommodation in the case of severe delays, even those beyond their control.
Source: Flight International
