Airline groups criticise EU Passenger Rights reform for ignoring operational realities and adding complexity

Two major European airline associations—Airlines for Europe (A4E) and the European Regions Airline Association (ERA)—have voiced strong concerns over the EU Council’s newly agreed position on revising the Passenger Rights Regulation (EU261/2004).

While both acknowledge some improvements, such as clearer definitions of extraordinary circumstances, they argue the compromise fails to reflect operational realities, especially for regional and short-haul carriers, and introduces unnecessary complexity.

Key concerns include:

• The delay threshold for compensation was raised from three to only four hours, falling short of the originally proposed five hours that could have rescued up to 70% of cancelled flights, according to A4E.

• No exemptions were granted for PSO (Public Service Obligation) flights, which provide vital connectivity to remote regions. ERA warns that increasing compensation on these routes, without flexibility, could threaten their financial viability.

• New obligations such as automatic reimbursements, rebooking rights after three hours, and self-rerouting up to 400% of the ticket price are seen as disproportionately burdensome for regional airlines with limited resources and tight schedules.

A4E Managing Director Ourania Georgoutsakou criticised member states for watering down the European Commission’s more effective original proposal, while ERA Director General Montserrat Barriga warned the current version risks damaging regional connectivity across Europe.

Both associations urge the European Parliament to reconsider the draft and adopt a balanced, workable approach that supports both passenger rights and the sustainability of Europe’s air network, especially its most vulnerable regional links.