EU finalizes air passenger rights reform after 11-year blockade

After an 11-year stalemate, the European Union has finally approved a significant reform of air passenger rights. The EU Council of Member States gave its final endorsement to the changes on Monday, following an agreement reached between the European Parliament and the Council in June.

The reform aims to strengthen passenger protections, with a notable provision ensuring that compensation claims for flight delays of three hours or more remain in place. Additionally, airlines will be required to include a small piece of carry-on luggage in the price displayed at the time of booking. Families will also continue to have the right to sit together without additional charges.

While the agreement was reached in June, the new regulations will not come into effect immediately. They are scheduled to be implemented one year after their official publication in the EU's Official Journal. This delay allows airlines and relevant bodies time to adapt to the updated rules.