European Parliament approves new flight refund rules

The European Parliament has approved new regulations regarding refunds for cancelled flights booked through travel agencies or intermediary platforms. Under the new framework, passengers are entitled to receive the full cost of the unperformed transport, including any intermediary fees.

When an agency or platform has paid for the ticket using its own funds, the airline is required to transfer the amount to the intermediary within seven days. The intermediary then has an additional seven days to issue the refund to the passenger. To prevent disproportionate financial burdens, the regulation includes an exception for micro-enterprises. The rules, which follow a European Court of Justice ruling involving KLM and Opodo, are expected to be implemented by October 23, 2027.

In Argentina, the debate over refund timelines has resurfaced following the EU decision. While the EU moves toward a faster system, Argentine law currently allows airlines up to 30 days to process refunds. The Air Transport Commission of the Argentine Federation of Travel and Tourism Associations (Faevyt) noted that the primary challenge is ensuring airlines strictly adhere to existing deadlines, as delays often create conflicts for intermediary agencies and credit card transactions.