Slovak MEPs support strengthening passenger rights in air transport

Brussels/Strasbourg – Members of the European Parliament (EP) discussed with representatives of the European Commission on Tuesday (June 17) the latest developments in the process of revising passenger rights in air transport. After many years of legislative inactivity, the possibility for their adjustment is opening up, as pointed out by Slovak MEPs from various political parties and groups, whom TASR contacted.

Monika Beňová (non-attached/Smer-SD) emphasized that safety must be prioritized in air transport, but also the rights of passengers and their effective enforceability, adding that there are problems that the current air transport system cannot address. According to her, these rights need to be strengthened. She believes that the proposal, as it is prepared, is against the rights of passengers. MEPs reject, for example, the increase in the number of hours for which they should receive compensation.

“Transport ministers from EU member states have been unable to reach an agreement in this area for more than ten years. We need clear rules and clear tools for enforcing compensation in cases of delays and cancellations, which can limit their arbitrary interpretations by airlines that often exploit their uncompetitive environment. The key is not their interests, but the protection of passengers,” the MEP clarified. According to her, passengers should also have access to sufficient accurate information, which should be provided automatically, in a timely manner, ideally already at the time of booking tickets, and appropriate assistance in case of long delays or cancellations should also become part of it.

Veronika Cifrová Ostrihoňová (RE/PS) also expressed regret that member states bypassed the European Parliament on such an important issue. “Passenger rights concern everyone who travels for family, work, or now in the summer for leisure, and they deserve thorough protection. I perceive the increase in the time limit for financial compensation and the reduction of the compensation itself as a weakening of it,” she described the situation. At the same time, she appreciated some partial improvements in favor of passengers that are also included in the proposal for the regulation, but overall it is a “disappointment and a weakening of consumer rights,” she added, noting that MEPs have three or four months left to try to rectify it.

EP Vice-President Martin Hojsík (RE/PS) clearly stated that he considers the proposal from member states, also supported by the Slovak government, to reduce passenger protection in air transport as unacceptable. “Passenger rights cannot yield to the increasing profits of air carriers. I was disappointed by the support of the Slovak government for this proposal and I hope that as a parliament we will reject it,” the MEP stated.

Miriam Lexmann (EPP, KDH) noted that the Christian Democrats, as the strongest group, want to maintain the existing strong standards of passenger rights so that airlines are held accountable for their violations. “We see that ticket prices are rising, and therefore it is neither possible nor justified to lower the criteria for carriers,” she stated. She expressed hope that MEPs will try to prepare quality legislation in the coming months that will not detract from the competitiveness of European airlines and commercial companies. (June 18)