Revised Article:
Flying with Delays: Air Transport Lobby Wants More Time for Compensation Payments
Aircraft Industry Advocates Push for Extended Timeframes for Compensation Payments - Proposals Already Forwarded by the Commission Regarding the Matter
Let's dive into the ongoing debate about air passenger rights! Currently, the German air transport lobby, BDL, is pitching for an extension of the compensation deadlines. Instead of the current three hours, passengers should only be entitled to compensation after five hours, argues the BDL, supporting a proposal from the EU Commission.
Joachim Lang, BDL's CEO, justifies this extension by stating that airlines would have a better chance to provide a replacement aircraft and transport passengers to their destination within the extended deadline. Fewer cancellations could be the result, according to him. "What passengers really want," he rhetorically asks, "is to get home as soon as possible, not a 250 euro claim."
Under the current circumstances, airlines often hesitate to rent replacement aircraft due to additional penalty payments. Instead, passengers are rescheduled on later flights and may face delays of up to two days return flights, says Lang.
Consumer advocates and flight passenger portals have been vocal about their opposition to the proposed extension in recent weeks, estimating around 80% of passengers would no longer receive compensation.
The new Federal Minister of Justice and Consumer Protection, Stefanie Hubig (SPD), stands against this suggested extension. The EU transport ministers are set to discuss the air passenger regulation on this coming Thursday. If changes are made, they would need EU Parliament's approval.
- Deadline
- Compensation
- Joachim Lang
- EU Commission
- EU Parliament
Enrichment Data:
- Impact of Proposed Changes:
- Raising the delay threshold for compensation to five hours could reduce eligible claims by approximately 75%.
- The changes have received opposition from consumer rights groups and some member states, like Germany, who argue that it could undermine passenger protections.
- Brussels and Berlin:
- Discussions and negotiations about the proposed changes are likely to take place in Brussels, EU's headquarters.
- The impact of these changes on passenger rights is considered controversial in Berlin, as Germany's consumer rights minister, Stefanie Hubig, stresses the importance of maintaining strong protections for passengers.
- Joachim Lang, from the German air transport lobby BDL, agrees with the EU Commission's proposal to extend compensation deadlines, suggesting a compensation claim should only be granted after a five-hour delay. This change, if implemented, could potentially eliminate around 75% of eligible claims.
- If the EU Parliament gives the go-ahead, following discussions among EU transport ministers on this coming Thursday, the travel lifestyle of passengers could be significantly impacted, as vocational training in the aviation industry, such as maintaining aircraft readiness and providing customer service, may receive less funding due to reduced compensation claims.
