The Association of Passenger Rights Advocates has come out against Brussels plans to reform air-passenger compensation rights.
According to a new draft law regarding air travel, delay thresholds would be raised and compensation amounts for passengers would be cut.
While European transport ministers and airline companies claimed this was a modernisation that would expand the rights of passengers, many players in the field have an opposite view.
In a reaction to Brussels Signal on August 25, association president Tomasz Pawliszyn said: “The Council’s proposal would significantly reduce existing protections under EC 261, weakening compensation rights, creating legal uncertainty, and shifting the burden further onto passengers.”
“If adopted, it would seriously damage air passenger rights in Europe.
“We urge the Parliament to reject any rollback of established rights, defend the European Court of Justice’s balanced pro-consumer case law, and ensure that fair, simple, and accessible compensation procedures are part of the final regulation.
“As the negotiations move forward, consumer protection must remain the Parliament’s top priority!” Pawliszyn, said.
He is also the chief executive of for-profit AirHelp, which helps air passengers claim compensation under EU law and similar laws worldwide.
The European Commission has welcomed the proposal, highlighting the supposed balanced approach.
Both the European People’s Party and and Socialists and Democrats Group in the European Parliament came out against the proposal, saying it was a “step in the wrong direction” and “clearly favoured airlines”.
Under the existing EU Regulation, passengers can claim compensation when flights are delayed by three hours or more, with payouts ranging from €250 for short-haul trips to €600 for long-haul journeys.
The new proposal would raise the minimum delay for compensation to four hours and up to six hours for long-haul flights. It would also reduce payouts for many routes, including cutting long-haul compensation from €600 to €500.
In mid-August, campaigners started a European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) Save Your Right, Save Your Flight! in opposition to the proposal.
To receive a formal response from the EC on the matter, the campaign will need to collect the 1 million signatures required from across at least seven EU countries.
Campaigners with the European Citizens’ Initiative 'Save Your Right, Save Your Flight!' have flagged up plans in Brussels to cut back on air-passenger compensation rights. https://t.co/mhQtpIRnvK
— Brussels Signal (@brusselssignal) August 13, 2025
