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EU transport ministers split ahead of vote on flight compensation overhaul

Thursday’s vote will launch talks with Parliament, where lawmakers warn a fast-track procedure could curtail their role in shaping the delay thresholds.

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Reisende mit Koffern am Hamburger Flughafen.
Lufthansa-Chef Carsten Spohr könnte von einer Reform der Fluggastrechte stark profitieren – seine Kunden nur teilweise
Zwei Passagiere schlafen auf einer FLughafenbank, der Flughafen scheint ausgestorben und leer.

Overview

  • Transport ministers will vote on Thursday in Luxembourg on raising the compensation threshold for delayed flights to five hours or maintaining three hours with a €300 flat rate under Germany’s proposal.
  • Germany’s counterproposal keeps the current three-hour delay threshold but fixes compensation at €300, aiming to balance passenger rights and airline burdens.
  • Consumer groups warn that the Commission’s plan could leave up to 85% of eligible passengers without payouts and urge retaining the three-hour criterion.
  • Airlines, supported by A4E, argue that extending the delay threshold reduces cancellations by allowing more time to mobilise replacement aircraft, echoing a survey where 73% of passengers preferred same-day arrival over earlier compensation.
  • MEPs have raised objections to the Council’s fast-track adoption procedure, fearing it will curtail Parliament’s role in negotiating the final rules.