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European Parliament approves new passenger rights regulations
The European Parliament has approved new regulations designed to strengthen passenger rights across all modes of transport, including air, rail, bus, and sea. The rules aim to simplify reimbursement processes and enhance protections for vulnerable travelers.
A key provision mandates that passengers are entitled to a full refund, including intermediary fees, within 14 days of a travel disruption. For bookings made through travel agencies or online platforms, airlines must transfer the refund amount to the intermediary within seven days, who then has an additional seven days to return the funds to the passenger. If an intermediary fails to provide the refund within this timeframe, the airline is obligated to pay the passenger directly.
The regulation also introduces standardized reimbursement and compensation forms, which will be available on the European Commission website in all EU languages. Furthermore, the rules expand rights for persons with disabilities, allowing a necessary companion to travel for free on flights, aligning air travel with existing protections for bus, train, and ship travel.
National regulatory bodies will receive increased powers to proactively investigate potential violations of passenger rights, even without a prior formal complaint. The regulation was passed with 652 votes in favor, two against, and eight abstentions. The new rules are expected to enter into force around October 2027.
Entities
ANAT · Council of the European Union · European Commission · European Parliament · European Union · Markéta Gregorová · Matteo Ricci
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Passengers are entitled to a full refund, including mediation fees, within 14 days of a cancellation. dalmatinskiportal.hr · n1info.hr
- [● 2 SOURCES] National authorities will have increased powers to proactively conduct audits and inspections regarding passenger rights violations. dalmatinskiportal.hr · n1info.hr
- [● 2 SOURCES] New rules allow companions of persons with disabilities or reduced mobility to travel by air free of charge if their presence is required. dalmatinskiportal.hr · n1info.hr
- [● 18 SOURCES] The European Parliament approved updated rules to improve passenger protection and information during travel disruptions. dalmatinskiportal.hr · n1info.hr · laciutat.cat · www.puglialive.net · www.expartibus.it · +13 more
- [● 18 SOURCES] The regulation was adopted with 652 votes in favor, two against, and eight abstentions. focuspress.ro · www.biziday.ro · www.dnoticias.pt · dalmatinskiportal.hr · n1info.hr · +13 more
- [● 18 SOURCES] Carriers must transfer funds to intermediaries within seven days, and intermediaries must pay passengers within another seven days. dalmatinskiportal.hr · n1info.hr · laciutat.cat · www.puglialive.net · www.expartibus.it · +13 more
- [● 18 SOURCES] Airlines must transfer refund money to intermediaries within seven days. focuspress.ro · www.biziday.ro · laciutat.cat · www.puglialive.net · dalmatinskiportal.hr · +13 more
- [● 18 SOURCES] Standardized EU forms for compensation and refunds will be provided via the European Commission website. www.biziday.ro · www.dnoticias.pt · laciutat.cat · www.puglialive.net · dalmatinskiportal.hr · +13 more
- [● 20 SOURCES] Intermediaries must return the refund to the passenger within seven days of receiving it from the airline. focuspress.ro · www.biziday.ro · laciutat.cat · www.puglialive.net · dalmatinskiportal.hr · +15 more
- [● 26 SOURCES] The European Parliament approved new passenger rights rules for air, rail, maritime, and road transport. focuspress.ro · www.biziday.ro · www.dnoticias.pt · www.puglialive.net · dalmatinskiportal.hr · +21 more
- [● 20 SOURCES] Passengers booking through intermediaries are entitled to full refunds, including commissions, within 14 days of flight cancellation. focuspress.ro · www.biziday.ro · www.dnoticias.pt · laciutat.cat · www.puglialive.net · +15 more
- [● 7 SOURCES] The rules are expected to be applied starting October 23, 2027. focuspress.ro · www.biziday.ro · laciutat.cat · patrapress.gr · www.irafina.gr · +2 more