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BackA conference, which had been organised by the European Economic and Social Committee, debated possible measures of the European Commission on air passenger rights. During the course of the discussion, a high-ranking civil servant from the Commission pointed out that a new legislative proposal on air passenger rights could come as early as next year.
A Commission Communication on passenger rights is to be published as early as October. This Communication will cover all forms of transport. Marjeta Jager, Director, DG MOVE, European Commission, criticised that the existing air passenger regulation left a lot to be desired concerning its implementation. The information passengers received was not really adequate. Her colleague Salvatore D’Acunto pointed out that the Commission could not let it go unchallenged when individual airlines would call compensation claims or payments into question. However, in some cases the European Court of Justice would come to the rescue: for example, following an ECJ ruling, airlines would now find it more difficult to claim that a flight was delayed because of technical problems. From now on, this had to be specified in more detail.
The rapporteur of the European Parliament on air passenger rights, MEP Keith Taylor demanded to eradicate any deficiencies in the existing passenger rights regulations. The regulations had to be clear, easy to understand, transparent and fair. A corresponding draft report would be presented to the Transport Committee in December and probably be adopted in the plenum of the European Parliament in March 2012, said the Green MEP.
Gunta Anca, member of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) described countless obstacles, which she had experienced on flights as a wheelchair user. The regulations concerning assistance for people with reduced mobility would vary from airline to airline. In some cases, one had to inform the airline within 2 days after purchasing the ticket, whether one required assistance. Some airlines could only be contacted by telephone, where the charges in some cases would cost more than € 2/minute. The cooperation with regard to changing planes would leave a lot to be desired. As a wheelchair user one would be the last to get off the plane; however, according to the rules one had to be the first to get on. Sometimes that would prove to be very difficult when one had to change planes. In some cases, Anca was also worried what would happen to her special wheelchair; would it still be in tact after the flight. The wheelchairs, which were used to get on the plane, were not very safe. Hence, passengers with disabilities urgently needed common rules, said the EESC representative.
Nuria Rodríguez Murillo of the European Consumers' Organisation BEUC commented that 80 % of all consumer complaints would concern air traffic. Airlines in many Member States would infringe against the existing regulations, for example in Belgium, France, Italy or Spain. Very often there would be a lack of written information; passengers would get no refreshments and/or accommodation when their plane was delayed and if a flight was cancelled they would not be informed about their rights.
If the regulations were revised, it was also be desirable to have clear rules for flights, which started outside the EU. Rules for lost luggage should also be clarified as well as what was covered by the term Force Majeure. There should also be the option to enable passengers to file class action lawsuits if needed, said the BEUC representatives in her concluding comments.
The rapporteur of the European Parliament on air passenger rights, MEP Keith Taylor demanded to eradicate any deficiencies in the existing passenger rights regulations. The regulations had to be clear, easy to understand, transparent and fair. A corresponding draft report would be presented to the Transport Committee in December and probably be adopted in the plenum of the European Parliament in March 2012, said the Green MEP.
Gunta Anca, member of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) described countless obstacles, which she had experienced on flights as a wheelchair user. The regulations concerning assistance for people with reduced mobility would vary from airline to airline. In some cases, one had to inform the airline within 2 days after purchasing the ticket, whether one required assistance. Some airlines could only be contacted by telephone, where the charges in some cases would cost more than € 2/minute. The cooperation with regard to changing planes would leave a lot to be desired. As a wheelchair user one would be the last to get off the plane; however, according to the rules one had to be the first to get on. Sometimes that would prove to be very difficult when one had to change planes. In some cases, Anca was also worried what would happen to her special wheelchair; would it still be in tact after the flight. The wheelchairs, which were used to get on the plane, were not very safe. Hence, passengers with disabilities urgently needed common rules, said the EESC representative.
Nuria Rodríguez Murillo of the European Consumers' Organisation BEUC commented that 80 % of all consumer complaints would concern air traffic. Airlines in many Member States would infringe against the existing regulations, for example in Belgium, France, Italy or Spain. Very often there would be a lack of written information; passengers would get no refreshments and/or accommodation when their plane was delayed and if a flight was cancelled they would not be informed about their rights.
If the regulations were revised, it was also be desirable to have clear rules for flights, which started outside the EU. Rules for lost luggage should also be clarified as well as what was covered by the term Force Majeure. There should also be the option to enable passengers to file class action lawsuits if needed, said the BEUC representatives in her concluding comments.