Regional airlines warn EU261 reform could endanger essential European air links

Thirty-five CEOs of European regional airlines have warned that proposed revisions to the EU261 passenger rights regulation could threaten the viability of regional air services across Europe, particularly amid soaring fuel prices and geopolitical instability.

In an open letter coordinated by the European Regions Airline Association, the airline leaders urged EU policymakers to pause the reform process and reassess its impact on regional aviation. While supporting strong passenger protections, they argue that the proposed rules fail to account for the operational realities of smaller airlines serving thin routes, remote communities and island regions.

The airlines warned that increased compensation obligations, combined with sharply higher operating costs, could force route closures, fleet reductions and even airline bankruptcies.

ERA Director General Montserrat Barriga said regional airlines are a “lifeline” for many communities, providing critical access to healthcare, education and economic opportunities. She called for a balanced reform that protects passengers without undermining essential connectivity.

ERA and its members are asking policymakers to suspend the current revision process, carry out a full impact assessment under current economic conditions, and design a compensation framework better suited to the specific constraints of regional aviation.

The CEOs concluded that passenger rights “should protect and connect citizens, not isolate them.”