Overview

• EU transport ministers agreed in Luxembourg to raise the delay threshold for compensation from three to four hours for flights under 3,500 km and to six hours for longer routes.
• Under the compromise, passengers will receive a flat rate of €300 for shorter flights and €500 for long-haul journeys.
• Germany voted against the changes, arguing they weaken consumer protections by reducing the number of eligible claimants.
• Consumer advocacy groups including BEUC and vzbv warn that the new thresholds will eliminate the majority of delay claims.
• The revised rules are based on EU Commission proposals from 2013 and must still be approved by the European Parliament, with discussions expected to continue into the autumn.