Refunds, delays and cancellations: Altroconsumo launches petition to "save air passengers' rights"

"The EU is discussing new rules on air passenger rights. that reduce refunds for delays and cancellations. We call on the European Parliament to take action to prevent passenger rights Are diminished. You also sign".

Thus Altroconsumo, consumer organization, launches an online petition and invites all travelers to sign it to defend their rights "together."

Passengers penalized, companies less punished

In particular, Altroconsumo calls on the European Parliament - of which Roberta Metsola is president - to stop changes that Reduce repayment amounts or raise minimum overdue thresholds, a rigorous enforcement of the Regulations By the airlines, more transparency to travelers, with information signs, clear forms, and digital tools available before, during, and after the flight, and Tougher penalties for those who don't abide by the rules. Finally, it also calls for a Stronger role for regulatory authorities, both national and European.

In fact, among other things, the new proposals include: reduced offsets, with A maximum reimbursement that drops from 600 to 500 euros; Higher thresholds for delays: Flights over 3,500 kilometers will need more than 6 hours of delay to be eligible for compensation (today 4 hours is enough); Shorter flights will require at least 4 hours (today 3).

"These changes," says Altroconsumo, "favor airlines and penalize travelers. That is why we say no to any attempt to reduce guarantees for passengers."

Why this petition and why now?

This year, after more than a decade, the Revision of Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council. establishing common rules on compensation and assistance to passengers in the event of denied boarding, flight cancellation or long delay.

In fact, it is a proposal that dates back to 2013, put forward by the Barroso Commission, but was stuck in the EU Council for 11 years until the EU ministers reached a political agreement on the dossier under the Polish presidency in June 2025, paving the way for negotiations with the Parliament.

"There are many improvements For the protection of air passenger rights But in the proposal, unfortunately, there are also backward steps". Altroconsumo thus comments on the outcome of the meeting.

The ball, therefore, as per procedure now passes to the European Parliament to which the consumer organization has sent precisely its demands: "So that the revision of the Regulation is not a missed opportunity to really increase the rights of air passengers."