AIRLINES MUST DO MORE TO COMPLY WITH EU LAWS ON AIR PASSENGER RIGHTS

Written by Liz Lynne MEP on Mon 16th Apr 2007

Lib Dem MEP Liz Lynne has welcomed an announcement by the European Commission that it is looking closely at the implementation of EU rules on air passenger rights and may consider further legal action to ensure that airlines are complying with EU laws on passenger rights.

EU rules come into force two years ago specifying passenger rights in the event of denied boarding, cancelled or delayed flights, but a recent report says that many airlines are not adhering to the rules, to the detriment of passengers.

Speaking from Brussels today Liz said;

"Thanks to EU legislation stranded passengers now have specific rights; yet whilst the rules mean airlines must pro-actively inform passengers about them, many travellers remain unaware of their entitlements."

"I know from personal experience that airlines often don't inform passengers about their rights when flights are disrupted. As we approach the summer period, this situation has to change; airlines must be accountable to the paying public and I am glad that the European Commission is now looking into whether airlines have been doing enough."

ENDS

Notes to editors

The European Commission last week presented a report which evaluates the results and the application of the air passenger rights Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 February 2004 establishing common rules on compensation and assistance to passengers in the event of denied boarding and of cancellation or long delay of flights

The report noted that although some progress has been made since its introduction two years ago, further important steps should be taken to ensure that airlines apply the rules more consistently and that these rules are better enforced by Member States. This is the main finding of the study[2] which the Commission ordered to complement its Communication on the results of the common rules protecting citizens' rights when travelling by air.

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