Brussels/Geneva - Airlines for Europe (A4E), the European Regions Airline Association (ERA), and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) expressed deep concern about the latest push by the European Parliament to weaken consumer choice and damage the competitiveness of the European aviation industry.
The European Parliament’s Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) voted yesterday to stick with its toughest demands to overhaul EU air passenger rights rules. This comes despite evidence that consumers prefer to prioritize choice, value for money, and punctual air transport services over additional compensation and other elements that will add costs to their tickets.
EU261 already offers air transport consumer protections that create the heaviest burdens on airlines in the world without delivering the value that consumers are looking for. The intention of the EU Commission’s revision of EU261 was to rebalance elements of that protection, supporting the consumer while meeting the needs of a modern and competitive air transport network for Europe.
Airlines and their passengers have a shared goal: a strong aviation network that offers connectivity, value for money, and performs as promised. Adding further financial and operational burdens does not address the root causes of travel disruption - such as infrastructure and air traffic management (ATM) constraints - but it does threaten the affordability of air travel and the choice and competitiveness of transport to, from and across the EU.
The airline groups highlight the following critical concerns:
- No impact assessment: The EU faces a competitiveness crisis. Proposing additional cost burdens on airlines and consumers without understanding their impact on ticket prices and route viability is reckless.
- Contradictions with passenger preferences: Passengers consistently report that they prefer to arrive late rather than not at all, especially in peripheral areas where no other forms of travel are available. The present three-hour threshold for compensation is simply not enough time to fly in a replacement aircraft and crew. Raising the threshold to match airlines' operational needs would allow us to get a delayed plane in the air faster. This is a vital element which the TRAN Committee is dismissing.
- Disregard for operational realities: Proposals relating to carry-on luggage have been developed without any analysis of the impact of airline operations, such as limited onboard capacity, the potential to create additional delays, plus heavier flights with more emissions.
- Proposals to adopt a non-exhaustive list of extraordinary circumstances fail to consider the reality of operating flights safely and efficiently.
A4E, ERA and IATA urge EU decision-makers to maintain a more realistic stance. EU261 already costs airlines and passengers EUR8.1 billion per year. The priority should be to clarify the rules, keep flying accessible to all, and keep Europe connected.
About A4E
Airlines for Europe (A4E) is Europe’s largest airline association. Based in Brussels, A4E works with policymakers to ensure aviation policy continues to connect Europeans with the world in a safe, competitive and sustainable manner. With a modern fleet of over 3,600 aircraft, A4E airlines carried over 718 million passengers in 2023 and served nearly 2,100 destinations. Each year, A4E members transport more than 5 million tons of vital goods and equipment to more than 360 destinations either by freighters or passenger aircraft. A4E is #Flyingforourfuture with our commitment to Europe and our call to action for incoming European policymakers.
About ERA
Founded in 1980, European Regions Airline Association (ERA) is a non-profit trade association representing more than 50 airlines and over 150 associate members involved in European air transport, and is the only association that bring together the entire spectrum of companies involved in European aviation. The association supports and defends the airline industry in providing safe, efficient and sustainable air connectivity to all regions of Europe. By lobbying European regulatory bodies on policy matters, ERA promotes and protects social responsibility, environmental sustainability and the development of regional economies and local communities.
About IATA
IATA (International Air Transport Association) represents some 360 airlines comprising over 80% of global air traffic. You can follow IATA on X for announcements, policy positions, and other useful industry information.
For more information, please contact:
Corporate Communications
Tel: +41 22 770 2967
Email: corpcomms@iata.org
