- EU Regulation 261 transformed air passenger rights in Europe in 2004, mandating a duty of care and compensation for flight disruptions.
- Airlines often ignored the rules, leading to an industry of claims handlers who fought for compensation on behalf of passengers.
- Test cases resulted in rulings such as a three-hour delay warranting the same compensation as a cancellation, and airlines being liable for delays caused by unforeseen events like pilot deaths.
- The EU is revising the regulation to address anomalies, potentially cutting payouts for many passengers except those on the shortest flights, and increasing the delay time over which compensation is paid.
- Proposed changes include clearer definitions of "extraordinary circumstances" that excuse airlines from compensation, limiting duty of care to three nights' accommodation, and ensuring passengers can still fly return legs even if they miss the outbound flight.
IN FULL
How the EU’s biggest air passengers’ rights shake-up in a generation will affect you
