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

The Transport and Tourism Committee adopts its positions on two draft bills on passenger rights. Among the different provisions, MEPs will vote on travellers’ rights in the case of disruptions, including when a journey involves different modes of transport, a common form of compensation, the dimensions of free hand luggage, and the protection of persons with disabilities

TRAN: VOTE on two draft bills on Passenger rights

Press conference on Air Passenger Rights

EP delegation to the Conciliation Committee meeting on Air passenger rights

Conciliation Committee meeting on Air passenger rights

Conciliation Committee - Trilogue on Air passenger rights

Press conference on Air passenger rights

EP Plenary session - Air Passenger Rights

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 passenger rights: signing ceremony in the presence of Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Alexis VAFEADES, Cyprus Minister of Transport

MEPs are debating the current energy outlook on the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the disruption of maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. This situation has led to a sharp increase in hydrocarbon prices, highlighting the persistent vulnerabilities within international energy markets. Thus MEPs will quiz Council and Commission representatives on possible measures to enhance the EU’s energy security while maintaining market stability and affordability. The European Council conclusions of 19 March 2026 underscored the urgency of advancing Europe’s energy transition as the primary strategy for enhancing strategic autonomy, resilience, and long-term affordability.

Energy security, independence and supply in the geopolitical context - ensuring market stability and affordable energy for industry and citizens: MEPs debate (part 2)

Andrey NOVAKOV (EPP, BG), rapporteur, Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS (Greens/EFA, LT), vice-chair of TRAN Committee and the shadow rapporteurs Matteo RICCI (S&D, IT), Kosma ZŁOTOWSKI (ECR, PL), Vicent MARZÀ IBÁÑEZ (Greens/EFA, ES) and Arash SAEIDI (The Left, FR), hold a press conference on Air passenger rights. MEPs discussed the Council’s proposed changes to existing air passenger rights rules and on an update to the rights of air travelers facing flight disruptions, to ensure compensation after a three-hour delay. This transcription is the result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

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

Apostolos TZITZIKOSTAS, European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, and Andrey NOVAKOV (EPP, BG), Rapporteur, close the debate on Air Passenger Rights, an update to the rights of air travellers facing flight disruptions, to ensure compensation after a three-hour delay. 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.

Air Passenger Rights: closing statements by Apostolos TZITZIKOSTAS, European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, and 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, an update to the rights of air travellers facing flight disruptions, to ensure compensation after a three-hour delay. 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. This transcription is the 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

This News item presents extracts from the debate (20/1) and from the vote (21/1) on Air Passenger Rights. 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.This transcription is the result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Air Passenger Rights: extracts from the debate (20/1) and from the vote (21/1)

Andrey NOVAKOV (EPP, BG), rapporteur, together with shadow rapporteurs: Mateo RICCI (S&D, IT), Vilis KRIŠTOPANS (PfE, LV), Kosma ZŁOTOWSKI (ECR, PL), Jan-Christoph OETJEN (Renew, DE), Vicent MARZÀ IBÁÑEZ (Greens, ES) and Arash SAEIDI (The Left, FR), brief journalists on the review of EU air passengers rights rules following a vote in the Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN). MEPs are seeking to ensure passengers are taken care of when they are denied boarding, their flights are cancelled or delayed. They want current travel rights to be maintained alongside the introduction of improvements in helping stranded passengers, regulating cabin baggage, and on the access to compensation. This transcription if the result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

NOVAKOV, Andrey (EPP, BG)

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