EU Considers Letting Airlines Delay Flights Longer Without Paying Passengers
The European Union is weighing a controversial proposal to give airlines more leeway on flight delays without being required to compensate passengers — a move that consumer groups have blasted as a step backwards for traveller rights.
Currently, passengers in the EU can claim up to €600 if their flight is delayed by more than three hours or cancelled with less than two weeks’ notice. But under new discussions taking place in Brussels this week, that threshold could be raised significantly, with reports suggesting delays of up to five hours may no longer qualify for compensation.
Supporters of the reform, including airline industry group Airlines for Europe (A4E), argue the current rules encourage cancellations, which then disrupt wider flight schedules. Giving airlines more flexibility, they say, would reduce the number of outright cancellations and help keep operations running smoothly across the continent.
Poland, which holds the EU’s rotating presidency, has revived a version of a 2013 reform proposal that never made it past negotiations. Some member states have already voiced firm opposition.
According to A4E, allowing longer delays before triggering compensation could prevent nearly half of currently cancelled flights. But it would also mean around 75% of passengers who currently qualify for reimbursement would no longer be entitled to it.
Consumer advocacy group BEUC said the proposal “is an unacceptable step back from the current level of protection.” They fear it could create confusion, especially on routes shared with non-EU carriers still bound by the existing three-hour rule.
Airlines paid out billions in delay-related compensation in recent years — an estimated €8.1 billion in 2024 alone. Yet only a fraction of passengers eligible for compensation actually claim it, often due to a lack of awareness or the complexity of the process.
The flight delay rule is just one part of a broader package of aviation reforms currently under review. Some proposals are being welcomed by passengers, such as banning fees for standard-sized hand luggage. But critics are concerned the overall package is being rushed through with limited input from the European Parliament.
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