What’s behind new EU air passenger rules?

European Parliament lawmakers set out their negotiating position on EU air passenger rights, insisting on maintaining compensation for passengers after a three-hour flight delay and calling for free carry-on allowances and no check-in fees.

The Transport and Tourism Committee adopted the guidelines by 34 votes in favor and two abstentions, announced in a statement, CE Report quotes Anadolu Agency.

MEPs stressed that air travelers should be reimbursed or re-routed, and entitled to compensation if their flight is delayed by more than three hours, cancelled, or if they are denied boarding.

The lawmakers rejected proposals from the EU Council to increase the delay threshold to four or six hours, insisting that the three-hour limit apply regardless of flight distance.

Compensation would range from €300-600 ($347-695) depending on the distance travelled, with cancelled flights and denied boarding covered under the same conditions.

The guidelines further include the right for travelers to carry one personal item, such as a handbag, backpack, or laptop, plus one small trolley not exceeding 7 kg and 100 cm in combined dimensions, free of charge.

Check-in fees for correcting passenger names or seating children under 14 next to accompanying passengers would be eliminated, and travelers would have the choice of paper or digital boarding passes.

The adoption of the guidelines paves the way for negotiations with the Danish Council presidency, scheduled to start on Oct. 15. Negotiators have three months to reach a deal, with a possible one-month extension.