MEPs confirm compromise on air passenger rights reform
MEPs have agreed on a compromise text for the long-awaited reform of EU air passenger rights, set to enter into force in the second half of 2027.
Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have confirmed a compromise on the reform of air passenger rights. The agreement preserves several key elements of the current framework, including the three-hour delay threshold that grants passengers the right to compensation. The new rules, covering baggage fees and compensation claims, will come into effect in the second half of 2027.
The text must still be voted on in Parliament’s plenary session next month. If adopted, it will conclude a long-delayed overhaul of the regulations. However, the compromise has drawn criticism from multiple stakeholders: consumer groups, airlines, and compensation-claim firms all see problems in the latest version. Each group has raised concerns about different aspects, indicating that the reform is not without controversy.
The new rules aim to provide clearer requirements regarding baggage fees and compensation payouts in case of delays. However, the retention of the three-hour threshold is contentious—some argue it is too long, while airlines welcome it as a predictable criterion. The reform is part of broader efforts to modernize EU air passenger rights, which were last substantially updated over a decade ago.
