The European Parliament has given final approval to a revised regulation strengthening air passenger rights across the EU, marking the most significant update to the long-standing EC261 framework in over a decade.
On Tuesday, MEPs confirmed the changes to air passenger rights rules agreed with the Council of the EU in the Conciliation Committee by 646 votes to 12, with three abstentions.
The Conciliation Committee is a formal trilogue mechanism used when the European Parliament and the Council cannot reach agreement during ordinary legislative procedure; it brings together representatives from both institutions (and the Commission) to negotiate a compromise text that must then be approved by both Parliament and Council before becoming law.
Brussels has been pushing for an update on the rules, which have been in force since 2004.
The new rules maintain and reinforce passengers’ entitlement to compensation for delays and cancellations, with fixed amounts unchanged at €250 for short-haul flights, €400 for medium-haul, and €600 for long-haul.
The three-hour delay threshold that triggers compensation also remains in place, providing legal certainty.
Air carriers will have the possibility to reduce compensation by 50 per cent for their longest journeys if passengers are offered re-routing to their final destination following travel disruption, or if the delay at arrival does not last more than four hours.
Airlines will be able to avoid paying compensation if the delay or cancellation was caused by events beyond their control.
The new rules will have an open list of these extraordinary circumstances, including natural disasters, war, weather conditions, unruly passengers, or airport, air navigation or ground handling service provider strikes.
In all cases air operators will still have a duty of care for stranded passengers including providing refreshments every two hours of waiting time, a meal after three hours, and, if needed during long delays, overnight accommodation (for up to of three nights if the disruption is beyond the airline’s control).
MEPs pushed for faster, simpler passenger rights. Refunds will be automatic for passengers who choose them over rerouting, and airlines must provide clear compensation instructions within four days of a disrupted journey.
Passengers will not need an account or app to access this information. They will have nine months to claim compensation, while airlines must respond within 30 days.
The new rules also strengthen passenger rights by allowing travellers to use the return leg of a ticket even if they missed the outbound flight, and by guaranteeing one free personal item onboard.
Airlines and booking platforms must show fares including carry-on luggage upfront, improving price transparency.
Passengers will no longer pay to correct minor name errors or obtain printed boarding passes, and digital boarding passes must be available without requiring an account or app.
Additional protections cover vulnerable travellers. Passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility will be entitled to compensation and assistance if airport failures cause them to miss a flight.
Airlines must also seat children under 14 next to an accompanying adult at no extra cost, with the same protection extended to passengers with disabilities, reduced mobility, and pregnant women.
Transport and Tourism Committee Vice-chair Virginijus Sinkevičius (Greens, LT) said: “We have good news for everyone who flies. We worked hard to make sure passengers did not lose the rights they already had, while securing better protection for families, people with reduced mobility, and others who need it most.”
Rapporteur Andrey Novakov (EPP, BG) stressed: “Today’s vote is a win – for both passengers and European aviation. After more than 13 years of deadlock, we are finally replacing uncertainty with clear rules, stronger rights and confidence. When people take a plane, their rights will not be left behind on the ground.”
APRA president Tomasz Pawliszyn welcomes the result.“This vote represents a historic milestone for air passenger rights in Europe. After more than a decade of work, lawmakers have successfully safeguarded and strengthened the world’s leading framework for balanced passenger protection”, he said in a statement
“Throughout this politically intense and hard-fought process, the European Parliament has demonstrated a clear commitment to ensuring that passengers remain at the heart of European aviation policy, while ensuring the rules remain practical and effective for the future. Europe continues to set the global standard in consumer protection in aviation.”
“We thank the Members of the European Parliament, the Council and the European Commission for their dedication throughout this complex legislative process.”
At the same time, APRA notes that some aspects, including the absence of inflation adjustments, will require continued attention in the years ahead.
Brussels’ plans to reform air-passenger compensation rights are being met with much scepticism from passenger rights organisations that adhere to the notion of “if it’s not broken, don’t fix it”. https://t.co/G1zQkNY8Hy
— Brussels Signal (@brusselssignal) March 4, 2026
