Representatives from EU member states have conceded in negotiations with the European Parliament that passengers will continue to be entitled to compensation for flight delays of three hours or more, sources involved in the negotiations told dpa on Friday.
The level of compensation will also remain unchanged, contrary to what member states had long demanded. Formal approval by EU lawmakers is still outstanding and could follow on Monday.
German Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig said there had been "major progress in the ambassadors' committee in Brussels on the new regulation of air passenger right."
The core of the agreement, she said, was that "consumers should continue to be entitled to compensation for delays of three hours or more."
Hubig said that the compromise contained several concrete improvements for consumers. In particular, price comparisons for carry-on luggage were to be made easier and passengers were to be better informed about their rights.
Representatives of the European Parliament and member states have been negotiating a reform for some time.
Last year, member states demanded that compensation only be granted for delays of four hours or more. EU lawmakers, by contrast, wanted to retain the three-hour threshold and continue to scale the level of compensation by distance.
Airline must be at fault
If the compromise is adopted, the following compensation amounts will remain in place:
- €250 ($290) for distances up to 1,500 kilometres
- €400 for distances up to 3,500 km
- €600 for distances of more than 3,500 km
In each case, the airline must be at fault for the delay. The reform will also set out what constitutes extraordinary circumstances in which the airline is not liable.
The rules apply to flights operated by EU airlines and to those of non-EU carriers departing from within the EU.
Final decision pending
Negotiators from the European Parliament are to meet in Strasbourg on Monday to examine the text submitted by member states, a spokesman said.
The final decision will then be made. The deadline expires on Monday night. If no compromise is reached by midnight, the reform proposed by the European Commission in 2013 would fail.
The reform is also intended to establish rules on carry-on luggage, seat reservations for families and costs when a flight segment is not used, among other things. Several rulings by the European Court of Justice are to be taken into account.
The EU's existing air passenger rules have been in force essentially since 2004.
