DECO welcomes increased passenger rights: What changes?

A The Portuguese Association for Consumer Protection (DECO) welcomed the new Air Passenger Rights Regulation, who still needs final approval, but who brings a strengthening the rights of these customers.

” After more than a decade of negotiations, the European institutions finally reached an agreement on the review of air passengers’ rights in the EU. It was more than 10 years of fighting for passenger rights, but it was worth it.“, forwards the DEC, in notified.

During the process, it continues, “Deco called for a more ambitious reform that would take account of the new reality of the market, but after hard negotiations, with very strong pressure from industry and with proposals from the European Council that largely penalised passengers, the maintenance of compensation rules in cancellation and delay situation is, in itself, a victory, as it allows to maintain the level of consumer protection“.

” Over many years the proposals on the table were focused on increasing the time threshold from which passengers benefit from compensation and drastically reducing these amounts. The action of DECO and the European consumer movement were decisive in maintaining a high level of passenger protection“, clarifies the Association.

What’s going to change?

DECO explains that “despite important isolated progress – as the introduction of a deadline for payment of compensation; the prohibition of clauses in the show that prevent passengers from boarding the return flight when they have not used the one-way ticket; the prohibition of fees by selecting seats in reservations that include minors or to correct spelling errors in the name– continues, however, below what is necessary, not reviewing its scope, and reducing the assistance required for passengers”.

In the opinion of DECO, “It also recognises a fundamental right of passengers: ensuring that consumers can carry a reasonable-sized personal item and hand baggage without any cost.”

“DECO fears consumers will therefore continue to face constraints and bear additional costs in the future,” he explains.

Finally, the Association points out that “air transport is one of the sectors where Portuguese consumers have most demanded, above all, the barriers of air carriers to recognise their rights, the growth of unfair commercial practices and the difficulties that passengers often face to travel, the result of inefficient airport infrastructure and successive economic crises with direct impact on transport costs”.

“This is just a battle we won. The DECO will continue to fight for passengers’ rights and demand more transparency and justice for consumers”, he said.