Travellers better protected and informed with new EU rules for passengers
It is not always clear to travellers what kind of trip they have booked. A trip with a transfer, hotel accommodation and car hire may appear to be a package holiday. But it is sometimes a trip with separate contracts with different travel organisations. Travellers then don't always know who the point of contact is if something goes wrong. That makes it difficult to request or get a refund. The European Commission wants to change this with new rules. That's why the Commission presents a set of proposals to better protect passengers and ensure passengers receive that to which they are entitled.
Three improvements for travellers
The Commission wants better protection for travellers, clear rules for package travel, and better access to travel information. The key changes for travellers are shown below.
1.
Improved passenger rights
- Refunds
There will be clear rules about refunds if a travel agent or intermediary books the flight. - Combined transport
Travellers will be better protected if they use different modes of transport during the same trip. For example, a trip by train, bus and plane. Travellers will also receive more information about their rights on such a trip. About the minimum transfer time, for example. - Enforcement
Travellers can request a refund or reimbursement faster with a standard form. In addition, it will become easier for the government to check whether carriers and travel organisations are complying with the rules.
2.
Clarity about package holidays
- Package holidays
The ‘package holiday’ concept will be explained better. Travellers will also get clear information about the trip they are booking and their rights. - Prepayment
Travellers who pay in advance will be better protected. For example, if a travel organisation goes out of business because of debts. - Vouchers
Travellers can request a refund immediately if they do not want a voucher. If the voucher is not used by the expiry date, the value of the voucher will be refunded automatically. Travellers will also be better protected if they can no longer use the voucher. For example, if a travel organisation goes out of business.
3.
Better access to information
- Notifications about the trip
Travellers will receive live notifications about the entire journey while they are en route. In the event of delays and cancellations, for example. If a delay arises along the way, they will immediately see what the implications are for the trip. That will make it easier to plan and adjust the trip.
- Extra information
Carriers will have to share extra information. For example, whether there is room for bikes on a train. And whether there are provisions for travellers with disabilities.
No new law yet
The Commission shared the proposal with the European Parliament and the European Council on 29 November. The new rules will only be adopted once they approve the proposal. It could therefore still take a long time before the proposal becomes law. That may only happen after the elections for the European Parliament in June 2024.
Read more
You can read more about the changes proposed by the Commission in the European Commission's press release: Better rights and information for travellers.
More news on this topic
