Overview

• EU transport ministers have reached a political agreement to overhaul air passenger rights with tougher delay thresholds and lower payout levels.
• Delay eligibility will rise from three to four hours for flights under 3,500 km and to six hours for longer routes before passengers can claim compensation.
• Compensation amounts for delays will be cut to between €300 and €400 on shorter flights and capped at €500 for long-haul journeys.
• The deal introduces an automatic compensation mechanism for flight cancellations and requires airlines to rebook passengers promptly or face higher refund obligations.
• Final adoption depends on approval by the EU Parliament and Commission after summer 2025, and consumer groups say the changes roll back passenger protections.