The obectives of the air transport's market rules are to set up a single air transport market in Europe, ensure its proper functioning, and extend it to certain third countries as far as possible.

More than twenty years after the entry into force of the ‘third package’ (in 1992), the functioning of the Single Aviation Market is, of course, still perfectible, as is illustrated by such factors as: the flaws in the slot allocation system; the fact that the vast majority (80%) of routes departing from EU airports are still served by only one (60%) or two carriers (20%); the financial difficulties that several airlines and secondary airports are facing; or the complicated oversight of air carriers now operating in several Member States. Nevertheless, the primary objective has been fully reached: from 1995 to 2014, while the number of passenger-kilometres within the EU-28 increased by around 23%, for air transport it jumped by about 74%. Over the same period, aviation’s share of total passenger transport increased from 6.5% to 9.2%, which is by far the strongest growth of all modes of transport in the EU. Source: <a href="https://www.europarl.europa.eu/factsheets/en/sheet/131/air-transport-market-rules">Air transport: market rules</a>.

See more on this topic by visiting our <a href="https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/air-transport_5203_pk">package</a> for the 8th parliamentary term.

Air transport

&nbsp;On 15 June 2026&nbsp;, a provisional agreement on a review of air passenger rights rules reached by Parliament and Council negotiators secured unanimous backing from the EP delegation to the so-called Conciliation Committee. The deal seeks to protect passengers against travel disruption, such as denied boarding and delayed or cancelled flights. MEPs have secured an air passenger rules deal that maintains compensation for three-hour delays, ensures faster reimbursement, fee-free child seating and flight price transparency.

Compensation and duty of care Parliament’s negotiators resisted a push to weaken air passenger rights. Under the deal, air travellers maintain the right to be reimbursed or re-routed and to claim compensation if a flight is delayed by more than three hours, if it is cancelled less than 14 days before a flight, or if they are denied boarding.

Compensation for delayed or cancelled flights will depend on flight distance: €250 for journeys up to 1,500 km, €400 for journeys between 1,500 km and 3,500 km, and €600 for all other longer journeys. Air carriers will have the possibility to reduce compensation by 50% for their longest journeys if passengers are offered re-routing to their final destination following travel disruption, or if the delay at arrival does not last more than four hours.

Passenger rights

The setting up of the Single Aviation Market in the late 1990s has profoundly transformed the air transport industry and has greatly contributed to the strong growth in air transport in Europe over the past twenty years.

In numerous reports, and also particularly in its resolution of 14 February 1995 entitled ‘The way forward for civil aviation in Europe’, Parliament has emphasised the need for a common policy on air transport providing for greater and fairer competition among airlines. Parliament’s support for the establishment and proper functioning of the Single Aviation Market has therefore been constant. In so doing, however, Parliament has continuously stressed that the liberalisation of air transport must be implemented cautiously and gradually and must balance the interests of both consumersand the industry.

Air Transport - 8th parliamentary term

The single European sky initiative aims to increase the efficiency of air traffic management (ATM) and air navigation services by reducing the fragmentation of European airspace. By its nature, this ongoing initiative is pan-European and open to neighbouring countries.

Parliament has always endeavoured to remove obstacles to the implementation of the single European sky by adopting a pragmatic approach. In this connection, it has insisted strongly and successfully on the need for close cooperation between the civil and military sectors, in the context of flexible use of airspace, even when the Member States were still reluctant to address the issue.

Single European Sky

MEPs debate an agreement reached in Conciliation Committee on the review of EU air passenger rights. The rules had not been updated since 2004.
Parliament negotiators resisted a push to weaken air passenger rights and secured the right of travellers to continue to receive reimbursement or be re-routed in the event of cancellation, and to be compensated if their flight is delayed by more than three hours, if it is cancelled less than 14 days before a flight, or if they are denied boarding.
MEPs also made sure the reimbursement process will become faster and easier and that families with children are not separated during seating. Air carriers must ensure that any person accompanying a child below the age of 14 should be seated in an adjacent seat without having to pay extra. On the insistence of MEPs, price transparency and the comparability of air tickets was increased by obliging airlines, intermediaries and search portals to always display the air fare inclusive of carry-on luggage at the outset of the booking process.

Plenary debate on Air passenger rights

MEPs vote on Wednesday on an update to the rights of air travellers facing flight disruptions, to ensure compensation after a three-hour delay.

Ahead of the vote, on Tuesday, plenary discusses the Council’s proposed changes to existing air passenger rights rules. In the face of national governments’ push to weaken these rights, Parliament is set to insist on preserving the rights of air travellers to be reimbursed or re-routed and to claim compensation if a flight is delayed by more than three hours or is cancelled, or if they are denied boarding. Council is proposing that travellers should be compensated only after a four- to six-hour delay, depending on flight distance.

Parliament’s draft text offers a comprehensive list of extraordinary circumstances, such as natural disasters, weather conditions or unforeseen labour disputes, that would release airlines of their responsibility to pay compensation. Council favours an open-ended list.

Plenary is also expected to defend the right to carry on board, at no additional cost, one personal item, such as a handbag, backpack or laptop, plus one small piece of hand luggage with maximum dimensions of 100 cm (combined length, width and height) and weighing no more than 7 kg.

Background information

In 2014, Parliament reacted to a Commission proposal to update air passenger rights, proposing that delayed or stranded air passengers should receive better access to compensation, with clearer rules about how airlines should deal with passenger complaints. Differing positions among EU countries blocked this file for 11 years. In June 2025, however, EU ministers reached a political agreement. Subsequent negotiations with Parliament started in October 2025, but did not end in agreement, forcing Parliament to proceed with the adoption of its second reading position.

EP Plenary debate on Air passenger rights

Press conference on Air passenger's rights

EP Plenary Session - July 2026 - Voting session

EP Plenary Session - July 2026 - Air passenger rights

Press conference on Air Passenger Rights

EP delegation to the Conciliation Committee meeting on Air passenger rights

Press conference on Air passenger rights

EP Plenary session - Air Passenger Rights

EP Plenary session  - Development of an industry for sustainable aviation and maritime fuel in Europe

Rapporteur Andrey NOVAKOV (EPP, BG) and vice-chair of the TRAN Committee Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS (Greens / EFA, LT) hold a press conference on Air passenger’s rights. MEPs adopt updated rules to strengthen air passenger rights, ensuring compensation for delays over three hours, reimbursement or re-routing for cancellations, and fee-free child seating. The rules, unchanged since 2004, now include faster reimbursement and family seating guarantees. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check agaisnt delivery.

Press Conference by Andrey NOVAKOV (EPP, BG), rapporteur and Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS (Greens / EFA, LT), vice-chair of the TRAN Committee on Air passenger’s rights

MEPs vote on the following topics: EU Legal Framework Extension; Political Party Compliance; Housing Crisis Committee; MEP Immunity Waiver; Fertiliser Price Crisis; Cross-Border Transport; EU Budget Adjustments; Solidarity Fund Mobilisation; Competition Policy; EU Financial Sector Taxation; Media Literacy & Digital Learning; Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); Digital Assets & Financial System

Voting session

This News item shows extracts from the debate (6/07) and vote in plenary (7/07) on Air Passenger Rights. MEPs adopt updated rules to strengthen air passenger rights, ensuring compensation for delays over three hours, reimbursement or re-routing for cancellations, and fee-free child seating. Parliament negotiators resist weakening passenger protections, securing key rights. The rules, unchanged since 2004, now include faster reimbursement and family seating guarantees. This transcription is the result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery

Air Passenger Rights: extracts from the debate (6/07) and vote in plenary (7/07)

Andrey NOVAKOV (EPP, BG), rapporteur, closes the debate on Air Passenger Rights. MEPs adopt updated rules to strengthen air passenger rights, ensuring compensation for delays over three hours, reimbursement or re-routing for cancellations, and fee-free child seating. The rules, unchanged since 2004, now include faster reimbursement and family seating guarantees.

Air Passenger Rights: closing statement by Andrey NOVAKOV (EPP, BG), rapporteur

Andrey NOVAKOV (EPP, BG), rapporteur and Apostolos TZITZIKOSTAS, European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, open the debate on Air Passenger Rights. MEPs adopt updated rules to strengthen air passenger rights, ensuring compensation for delays over three hours, reimbursement or re-routing for cancellations, and fee-free child seating. The rules, unchanged since 2004, now include faster reimbursement and family seating guarantees. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Air Passenger Rights: opening statements by Andrey NOVAKOV (EPP, BG), rapporteur and Apostolos TZITZIKOSTAS, European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism

MEPs debate on Air Passenger Rights. MEPs adopt updated rules to strengthen air passenger rights, ensuring compensation for delays over three hours, reimbursement or re-routing for cancellations, and fee-free child seating. The rules, unchanged since 2004, now include faster reimbursement and family seating guarantees.

Air Passenger Rights: MEPs debate

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Alexis VAFEADAS, Cyprus's Minister of Transport, Apostolos TZITZIKOSTAS, European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Andrey NOVAKOV (EPP, BG), rapporteur and Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS (Greens/EFA, LT), vice-chair of TRAN Committee, hold a press conference on Air passenger rights. In January 2026, Parliament adopted its position on revising EU air passenger rights, aiming to maintain reimbursement, re-routing, and compensation for delays, cancellations, or denied boarding. However, EU ministers rejected these proposals in March 2026, prompting the Conciliation Committee to negotiate a compromise over eight weeks. On the 15th of June evening, a provisional agreement on a review of air passenger rights rules reached by Parliament and Council negotiators secured unanimous backing from the EP delegation to the so-called Conciliation Committee. The rules had not been updated since 2004.

Press conference: Air passenger rights by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Alexis VAFEADAS, Cyprus's Minister of Transport, Apostolos TZITZIKOSTAS, European Commissioner, Andrey NOVAKOV, rapporteur and Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, vice-chair TRAN Committee

This video shows extracts from the signing ceremony concerning Air passenger rights. Following the vote of the EP delegation, EP President Roberta METSOLA and Cyprus Minister of Transport VAFEADES, on behalf of the Cyprus Presidency co-sign two letters approving the joint text concerning the proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 establishing common rules on compensation and assistance to passengers in the event of denied boarding and of cancellation or long delay of flights and Regulation (EC) No 2027/97 on air carrier liability in respect of the carriage of passengers and their baggage by air (Air Passenger Rights) (2013/0072(COD)).

air transport package (T)

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