Overview

• EU Commission has proposed raising the minimum delay for passenger compensation from three hours to between five and twelve hours.
• German aviation lobby BDL argues longer deadlines would allow airlines to deploy replacement aircraft more effectively and cut cancellations.
• Consumer protection groups and Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig warn the proposal could reduce compensation claims by about 80 percent.
• Germany has launched an online portal to streamline new and existing compensation claims under current EU regulations.
• Any changes approved by transport ministers this week must still be ratified by the EU Parliament before taking effect.