EU261 to be updated

EU261/2004 – or as some know it – the rules that govern how airlines and passengers act together, along with remedies is on the course to being updated.

Subject to the approval of EU member states and the European Parliament, the new laws are due to come into effect from 2015.

The reforms are in an attempt to clear up ambiguities and set down maximum times.

Some highlights include:

• Airlines will be banned from charging passengers a fee to correct a misspelling of their name
• Airlines having to give o give passengers information about why their flight was cancelled within 30 minutes of its scheduled departure.
• Complaints will have to be handled quicker with them having to acknowledge complaints within a week and respond within two months.
• More rights on the ground if stuck for an hour, with airlines obliged to put on the air-con/heating, open the lavatories to use and supply water as required.

However, some ambiguities will be cleaned up too.

• Airlines will not have to pay compensation for delays or cancellations caused by severe weather or strikes, but will have the obligation of care still remaining (so, you must check in to get the obligation).
• Airlines will not having to pay compensation until a flight is delayed by at least 5 hours – an upgrade from the current 3 hours.
• Airlines will have to pay for a maximum of three nights hotel accommodation in the event of delays

It’s not a bad thing this is happening as EU261/2004 has been a bone of contention between airlines and passengers. By giving the airlines a few carrots, and still having the big sticks to bash the airlines with, hopefully it will stop airlines moaning about the regulations being unfair, whilst passengers still get a better deal.

And that can only be a good thing.