EU Reaches Landmark Agreement to Strengthen Air Passenger Rights

On Tuesday 16 June 2026, Luxembourg’s Ministry of Mobility and Public Works and the Consumer Protection Directorate reported that following the final stages of the European legislative procedure, European co-legislators had reached a compromise under the conciliation procedure concerning air passenger rights.

“During the negotiations, Luxembourg sought to promote the protection of passengers while ensuring due regard for the viability requirements and operational constraints of airlines, particularly regional carriers. The compromise ultimately reached may be regarded as a pragmatic and balanced solution, delivering tangible improvements for passengers while taking account of the realities of the sector,” said Yuriko Backes, Luxembourg’s Minister for Mobility and Public Works.

According to Martine Hansen, Luxembourg’s Minister for Consumer Protection, “this agreement represents a modest but genuine step forward for air passenger rights in Europe. I am pleased that a compromise could be reached after difficult negotiations, providing greater clarity and legal certainty for consumers while ensuring that they are better informed of their rights.”

Progress of the Negotiations

According to the ministry, final conciliation negotiations began on the afternoon of Tuesday 2 June 2026 and were suspended at around 05:00 without reaching an agreement. The heads of delegation – Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament; Apostolos Tzitzikostas, Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism; and Alexis Vafeades, Cyprus’s Minister of Transport, Communications and Public Works – decided to continue the negotiations.

Alongside their Council meeting in Luxembourg on Monday 8 June, ministers responsible for transport policy discussed the key outstanding issues. The Member States met again on Friday 12 June, to consider a compromise text proposed by the European Parliament. Following the meeting, a narrowly secured qualified majority approved the final compromise. The text was confirmed on Monday 15 June 2026, by the European Parliament meeting in plenary session in Strasbourg.

Revision of the Legal Framework

The ministry detailed that European Commission proposed a revision of the current Regulation in 2013 in order to address shortcomings in the legislation that has been in force since 2004. The Court of Justice of the European Union has clarified or supplemented numerous aspects through extensive case law. In particular, it established a right to financial compensation for passengers arriving at their destination three hours or more late, whereas the 2004 Regulation provides such compensation only in the event of flight cancellation.

According to the ministry, it was this issue of compensation for delays that lay at the heart of the negotiations conducted since the beginning of June. Under the compromise adopted by the co-legislators, the current regime established through case law will now be formally incorporated into the Regulation. Accordingly, a delay of three hours will entitle passengers to compensation, the amount of which will vary according to the distance of the flight concerned.

Simplification of Compensation Claims

To make it easier for passengers to submit compensation claims to airlines, carriers will be required to provide information explaining how claims may be lodged.

Prohibition of the “No-Show” Practice

The text provides, among other measures, for the prohibition of the so-called “no-show” practice, whereby a passenger is denied boarding on a return flight because they did not use the outbound flight. This prohibition will apply not only to return journeys but also to all intermediate flight segments. Airlines will therefore no longer be permitted to require the payment of any supplementary charge in such circumstances.

Clarifications on Practical Arrangements

The new text includes numerous clarifications relating to technical and practical matters, such as the format of boarding passes and check-in procedures, reimbursement arrangements, and the payment of compensation to passengers. The situation of persons with reduced mobility has also been improved.

Fare Transparency

The co-legislators also agreed on an obligation requiring airlines, intermediaries and price comparison websites to display, systematically and by default, fares that include a cabin bag. However, rules relating to baggage will continue to be addressed through the revision of another Regulation governing the European single aviation market (Regulation 1008/2008).

Luxembourg’s Position

Represented by the Consumer Protection Directorate and the Ministry of Mobility and Public Works, Luxembourg was among the large majority of Member States that supported the outcome of the negotiations.

The new regulation is expected to enter into force in just over one year.

Delay or Cancellation: What Should You Do?

The ministry advised that as a general rule, passengers who believe that their rights have been infringed – for example, in the event of a flight cancellation or significant delay – are advised to contact the airline concerned in the first instance.

To learn more about one’s rights and the steps to follow in the event of a flight delay or cancellation, further information can be found at www.passagers.lu.