Brussels – The Transport and Tourism Committee of the European Parliament has once again demanded the right of air passengers to board with a carry-on bag without paying an extra fee, after the 27 agreed this month to negotiate that this free allowance be limited to luggage that fits under the seat, such as backpacks, handbags, or laptop cases.
This is not yet the negotiating mandate that will determine the position of the Eurochamber in negotiations with the Council (governments) on the new rules for air passengers, but rather an opinion on the application of passenger rights in the Union that may be incorporated when the position of the Eurochamber is defined, not before autumn.
The European Commission presented its first reform proposal in 2013, and the Eurochamber set its position on it a year later, but the differences among the Twenty-Seven have kept the process at a standstill for a decade. Following a revised proposal from Brussels in 2023 and the mandate agreed upon by the 27 this month, MEPs are now addressing the review of positions before tackling the final negotiation of the reform.
In any case, MEPs assert the passenger’s right to board without paying a surcharge with a “personal item” with maximum dimensions of 40x30x15 centimeters — in line with the Council’s position — but also with a small carry-on bag, as has also been supported in several rulings by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) but which the 27 did not reflect in their position. In this case, MEPs propose that this carry-on bag have maximum dimensions of 100 centimeters and a weight of 7 kilograms.
To the Plenary, presumably in July
Another of the demands included in the Transport Committee’s report — which is expected to go to the plenary next July — is to ensure that children under 12 travel seated next to their accompanying adult without needing to pay extra to reserve seats and that passengers with reduced mobility or vision can travel with a companion with a free ticket.
The Transport Committee’s report has passed with a large majority of 38 votes in favor, 2 against, and 2 abstentions; in a session where MEPs also give their approval to start negotiations with the Council for reforms of the rules on multimodal travel and on the application of passenger rights.
In this context, the MEP from Compromís, Vicent Marzàcelebrated in a statement that “finally” it is possible to “advance in concrete rights for passengers, thanks to thorough work and the political will of this Parliament.” “We dignify the Parliament by demonstrating that we are not here to bow to Ryanair, but to ensure more justice, more transparency, and more protection for citizens,” he emphasized.
The Popular Party has also applauded the adoption of the report, as it defends the right of travelers to board with a bag and carry-on luggage “at no additional cost, as long as it meets the applicable security requirements.” “The industry must collaborate in the harmonization of these measures,” defended the ‘number 2’ of the PP in the Eurochamber, Dolors Montserrat.
Role of intermediaries and other changes
The parliamentary report also calls for clarification of the role of intermediaries who, as retailers or providers, can sell tickets so that they are also responsible when it comes to reimbursing air passengers in case of flight cancellations, prolonged delays, or denied boarding.
MEPs want these companies to inform passengers at the time of booking about the total cost of a plane ticket, intermediary or service fees, and about the reimbursement process, which should not take more than 14 days. If an intermediary does not comply with this deadline, it will be the airline’s responsibility to process the refund within seven days, according to the parliamentary committee.
They also support the idea of a single form for compensation and reimbursement requests and that airlines are responsible for sending this form to affected passengers, without waiting for them to claim it, or establishing equivalent automatic communication channels within a maximum of 48 hours after the incident.
Regarding the “exceptional” causes that airlines may invoke to avoid compensation, MEPs maintain the 2014 demand that a clear list of reasons justifying it be defined, such as natural disasters, war, weather conditions, or unforeseen social conflicts, which do not include strikes by airline staff. (June 24)
