Strengthening Passenger Rights: European Parliament Debates on Air, Multimodal, and Package Travel

The last TRAN Committee (Transport and Tourism) and IMCO Committee (Internal Market and Consumer Protection) meetings at the European Parliament engaged in critical debates concerning passenger rights, focusing on air travel, multimodal transport, and package travel. The discussions underscored the need for stronger regulations, more explicit responsibilities, and enhanced consumer protections across different modes of transport.

Enhancing Passenger Rights in Air Travel

The first debate revolved around the proposed amendments to existing EU regulations on air passenger rights, led by rapporteur Matteo Ricci. The proposal aims to improve enforcement mechanisms, harmonize regulations, and reinforce protections for travelers. Key measures discussed include the introduction of a standardized European claims module for reimbursements, clearer definitions of extraordinary circumstances to prevent inconsistent applications, and stronger accessibility provisions for passengers with reduced mobility.

Concerns were raised about the potential administrative burdens that new regulations might impose on airlines, particularly regarding automatic compensation for flight delays and cancellations. Some members emphasized the need to balance consumer rights with the economic sustainability of the aviation industry. Additionally, the debate covered issues such as transparency in pricing, the elimination of seat booking fees for minors, and the feasibility of setting minimum hand luggage standards.

Addressing Passenger Rights in Multimodal Travel

The second discussion focused on passenger rights in multimodal journeys, as presented in a draft report by rapporteur Jens Gieseke. The debate highlighted the complexities of ensuring seamless travel rights across different modes of transport, such as rail, air, and maritime services. Key priorities included defining clear responsibilities for carriers and intermediaries, improving the flow of information to passengers, and minimizing bureaucratic barriers that could deter multimodal travel.

Several members advocated for comprehensive liability coverage across multimodal journeys to protect passengers from disruptions when transferring between different transport modes. There were calls to ensure equal rights for travelers with reduced mobility and to introduce compensation mechanisms for delays in single multimodal contracts. However, concerns were also raised about the financial and administrative impact of such regulations, particularly on the rail sector.

Strengthening Consumer Protections in Package Travel

The IMCO Committee also debated amendments to Directive (EU) 2015/2302, which governs the protection of travelers purchasing package holidays. Rapporteur Alex Agius Saliba introduced proposed reforms aimed at enhancing consumer protections while simplifying regulatory requirements. Key measures include extending the timeframe for purchasing additional travel services under a package to 72 hours, maintaining a 25% prepayment limit with exceptions for advance costs, and refining contract termination conditions in extraordinary circumstances.

The debate also addressed concerns about financial stability in the tourism sector. Some members argued that rigid financial requirements, such as the prepayment cap, could negatively impact SMEs, while others emphasized the importance of ensuring prompt refunds and clear consumer information. Additional proposals included the establishment of central contact points for insolvency information and enhanced enforcement mechanisms, such as mandatory complaint handling and penalties for non-compliance.

The Way Forward

The European Commission welcomed the general support for these proposals but cautioned against regulatory inconsistencies, especially regarding ticketing, digital booking systems, and insolvency protections. The discussions underscored the challenge of creating a robust yet balanced regulatory framework that upholds passenger rights while ensuring the continued competitiveness of the transport sector.

As legislative discussions progress, the TRAN and IMCO Committees will seek to refine these proposals, addressing key concerns raised while maintaining the overarching objective of enhancing consumer protections across all forms of travel.