Council sets position on clearer and improved rules for air passengers
BRUSSELS — In a breakthrough hailed as a “historical milestone,” the Council of the European Union has adopted a sweeping reform of EU air passenger rights, ending more than a decade of deadlock and delivering over 30 new protections aimed at making air travel fairer, clearer, and more predictable for millions of travelers.
The agreement, reached by transport ministers on June 5, 2025 , updates two key regulations governing airline liability and passenger rights. The revised framework aims to better protect passengers while also ensuring airlines can operate under fair and balanced conditions within the EU’s internal market.
“This is a major step forward,” said Dariusz Klimczak, Poland’s Minister of Infrastructure , who presided over the Transport Council meeting. “The position finally adopted today answers an urgent call from both air passengers and airlines for up-to-date, clearer, and more straightforward rules.”
Over 30 New Rights Introduced
The updated rules introduce a comprehensive set of rights that apply throughout the entire travel journey — from booking to arrival, and even beyond in some cases. The reforms address long-standing ambiguities in the current system, which dates back to 2004 and has been criticized for being outdated amid modern disruptions and evolving business models.
Key changes include:
Right to Rerouting
Airlines must now offer rerouting options immediately after flight disruption, including flights with other carriers or alternative transport modes when appropriate. If rerouting isn’t provided within three hours , passengers may arrange their own travel and claim up to 400% of the original ticket price in reimbursement.
Right to Assistance
Passengers are guaranteed essential services such as meals, refreshments, and accommodation during long delays. If airlines fail to provide these, travelers may make their own arrangements and seek reimbursement. Passengers stuck on tarmac will be entitled to minimum assistance and must be allowed to disembark after three hours .
Right to Compensation for Delays and Cancellations
Compensation thresholds have been updated based on the European Commission’s impact assessments:
- For flights under 3,500 km (including all intra-EU journeys), compensation of €300 applies if delays exceed four hours .
- For flights over 3,500 km , compensation of €500 kicks in for delays exceeding six hours .
Crucially, airlines can no longer cite “extraordinary circumstances” to avoid paying compensation unless they can prove they took all reasonable steps to prevent disruptions.
Passengers informed of cancellations less than 14 days before departure are entitled to compensation. Airlines must now also provide pre-filled forms to streamline claims.
In a significant shift, the reform also addresses the controversial “no-show” policy: passengers denied boarding on return flights because they missed the outbound leg will now be eligible for compensation.
Right to Information
Transparency is central to the reform. Airlines must now meet stricter obligations to inform passengers about their rights during booking and throughout their journey. New provisions require airlines to respond to complaints or claims within 14 days , either by paying compensation or providing a detailed explanation.
Passengers will have six months from the date of disruption to submit a claim.
Next Steps: Parliament to Review Agreement
With the Council’s position formally adopted, the text will now go to the European Parliament for a second reading. Lawmakers will have the option to approve, amend, or reject the deal.
If passed, the updated regulations could come into force within the next 18–24 months, marking one of the most comprehensive upgrades to EU passenger rights in over two decades.
A Long-Awaited Update
The original air passenger rights regulation, introduced in 2004, has been a cornerstone of consumer protection in aviation but has faced increasing scrutiny for its lack of clarity, especially in handling modern-day challenges like mass cancellations, complex itineraries, and opaque airline policies.
The European Commission first proposed revising the rules back in June 2013 , but progress was stalled for years due to disagreements among member states, industry stakeholders, and consumer advocacy groups.
Today’s agreement marks a turning point — not only for passengers seeking greater certainty and fairness, but also for airlines looking for a stable and competitive operating environment across Europe.
“This reform ensures that air travel in Europe becomes not only more reliable, but also more accountable,” said Klimczak. “It’s time for passengers to be treated with the fairness and respect they deserve.”
As the aviation sector continues to recover post-pandemic, the updated rules are expected to boost consumer confidence, improve service standards, and promote a more equitable internal market for airlines across the EU.
EU transport ministers reached a political agreement on the revision of the regulation on air passenger rights and the regulation on airline liability. The common position answers to a need for simpler and clearer rules, while aiming at striking a better balance between a high level of protection for passengers and preserving connectivity and level playing field for the aviation sector within the EU’s internal market.
