EU member states have struck a deal that keeps the core of the bloc’s air passenger compensation regime intact. Travellers will still qualify for payouts after three hours of delay: 250 euros on short-haul flights up to 1,500 kilometres, 400 euros on medium-haul routes and 600 euros on long-haul services above 3,500 kilometres.
The compromise ends a long-running fight over whether to weaken passenger rights. It also preserves measures on hand baggage price transparency, clearer refund and compensation information, and a ban on extra charges for seating children next to parents.
Formal approval is due on Monday. For airlines, the message is blunt: the sector avoided a regulatory rollback, but compliance pressure remains unchanged.