Rights of air passengers to be improved

The rights of airline customers who suffer major delays to their flights are to be considerably strengthened under proposals under consideration by the EU.

Formal discussions to improve existing rules on compensation and refunds to airline passengers when their travel plans are disrupted began yesterday at a meeting of EU transport ministers in Luxembourg.

Transport Minister Leo Varadkar, who chaired yesterday’s meeting, said the proposed measures, if accepted, would provide greater clarity for both passengers and airlines. “The number one priority is to ensure that stranded passengers can return to their point of departure,” he said.