The European Parliament has overwhelmingly approved a regulation strengthening passengers’ rights when travel is disrupted, with 652 votes in favor, two against, and eight abstentions. Under the rules, travelers across the EU will be able to submit refund claims using a standardized form covering all modes of transport. The form will be available through the European Commission’s website in every EU language.
Passengers are entitled to full reimbursement within 14 days, even when their booking was made through an intermediary, such as a travel agency or an online booking platform. The regulation explicitly includes these intermediaries in reimbursement obligations, resolving an ambiguity in the previous legislation. Should an intermediary fail to reimburse a passenger within the required period, the airline must step in and issue the payment.
The regulation also extends protections for passengers with disabilities by allowing a necessary companion to travel with them on a flight at no charge. Comparable arrangements already apply to buses, trains, and ships. The measure builds on a broader overhaul of air passenger rights approved in July, which simplified access to refunds and requires airlines to include one free item of carry-on baggage in fares advertised online.
