Brussels faces crucial showdown over airline passenger rights

The EU Council and the European Parliament are deeply divided over the reform of airline passenger rights. Both sides must reach an agreement by Tuesday. The negotiations affect tens of millions of EU travellers.

Tense negotiations are underway in Brussels on the reform of EU airline passenger rights, with the EU Council and the European Parliament at odds over deep disagreements. Both sides have until Tuesday to reach an agreement, otherwise the existing rules will remain unchanged.

The current airline passenger protection system is based on a regulation adopted in 2004, which governs compensation for flight cancellations, lengthy delays, and overbooking. Over the years, this system has sparked disputes between airlines and passenger representatives, with both sides demanding changes in their own interests.

The heart of the disagreement

The Council, which represents the member states, wants to ease the burden on airlines and limit their compensation obligations in case of extraordinary circumstances. The European Parliament, meanwhile, is pushing for stronger passenger rights, including faster compensation payments and broader protection in case of flight disruptions.

The time pressure in the negotiations is significant — if no agreement is reached by Tuesday, the process will have to be restarted, meaning a delay of several months. Both institutions' terms are limited, and a new composition would start the reform process from scratch.

What the reform would change

The reform package would directly affect flights across the European Union, where over 900 million passengers fly annually. The main disputed issues include the amount and timing of compensation payments, the definition of extraordinary circumstances, and airline obligations for accommodation and catering of stranded passengers. Reaching a compromise requires concessions from both sides.