Denmark seeks to trim down payment for travelers facing flight delays
Headline: Danish Parliament Ponders Significant Flight Delay Compensation Overhaul Among Backlash from Consumers
A looming debate in Denmark revolves around a controversial proposition to boost the compensation threshold for airline tardiness, with the government advocating for the change despite criticism from consumer groups.
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The Danish government wants to increase the threshold for compensation for tardy flights to five hours from the current three.
As per the existing rules, fliers are entitled to compensation when flights are delayed past the three-hour mark. However, the majority of parliament backs the amendment, which would curtail passenger compensation rights.
READ MORE: Understanding your rights when your flight is delayed or cancelled in Denmark
Transport Minister Thomas Danielsen shares the opinion that passengers should prioritize reaching their destinations over the fine print of compensation claims.
The proposal seeks to save airlines substantial financial resources, according to a government note that newswire Ritzau disclosed. Danielsen adds that the move may prompt airlines to operate weary flights instead of outright cancellations.
Nevertheless, consumer rights organization Forbrugerrådet Tænk questions whether this adjustment would effectively discourage cancellations and asserts passengers would be confronted with longer delays.
"I don't believe raising the compensation threshold would significantly reduce cancellations, and I am reasonably certain passengers will face extended delays," Vibeke Myrtue Jensen, the group's political consultant, states.
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"In our perspective, the government's mandate to pursue this change at the EU level will only worsen passengers' rights," Jensen adds.
Danielsen contends that the financial constraints confronting airlines necessitate balancing consumer rights with realistic obligations.
"A five-hour threshold better represents the expenses airlines face, demanding a balance between both," Danielsen explains during the parliamentary meeting.
The minister also points out that these compensation costs are folded into ticket prices by airlines, a claim contested by Forbrugerrådet Tænk.
Airline SAS supports the government's stance regarding the question. SAS reveals during the examination phase of the proposal that its present compensation payouts range from 1,865 to 4,475 kroner.
"When passengers receive both a refund and compensation, current rates often mean they end up with more money than they originally spent on the ticket, even for brief delays," SAS comments.
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Additional Readings
The Situation as it Stands – Flight Delay Compensation in Denmark and the EU
Within EU governance, Denmark follows EU Regulation 261/2004, which includes passengers' rights to compensation for delayed flights, cancellations, or denied boarding based on flight distance and delay duration. Passengers are entitled to "care and assistance" during delays, such as meals, lodging, and transport, depending on flight duration and distance. Compensation amounts, as per EU law, are up to €600.
How Increasing the Compensation Threshold May Impact Passenger Rights and Airline Finances
A higher threshold for compensation would likely impose longer delays or more severe inconveniences for passengers before claiming compensation, potentially making it challenging for them to exercise their rights. From the airlines' perspective, a more substantial threshold would ease financial pressures due to reduced compensation payouts but might diminish passenger satisfaction and compromise consumer protection standards.
Final Insights
As of now, no official updates pertaining to Denmark's compensation threshold for flight delays have been reported. It is crucial to keep an eye on official Danish transport or aviation authority announcements and EU regulatory news for any updates on this topic.
- The Danish government's proposal to increase the flight delay compensation threshold from three hours to five hours has generated controversy, with consumer groups arguing that it may lead to longer delays for passengers.
- According to Transport Minister Thomas Danielsen, raising the compensation threshold would encourage airlines to operate weary flights instead of outright cancellations, potentially saving airlines substantial financial resources.
- Forbrugerrådet Tænk, a consumer rights organization, questions the government's contention that the adjustment would effectively reduce cancellations, suggesting that passengers might confront extended delays instead.
- If the Danish government manages to push this change at the EU level, it could have a wider impact on passengers' rights across Europe, according to Vibeke Myrtue Jensen, Forbrugerrådet Tænk's political consultant.
- Airline SAS, which supports the government's stance on the issue, disclosed that its current compensation payouts range from 1,865 to 4,475 kroner, and it argues that these costs are eventually passed on to ticket prices.
