Latest news with #StevenBerger
Euractiv
03-07-2025
- Business
- Euractiv
Airlines scramble as dogfight with EU over baggage rules looms
What should have been a straightforward update to passenger rights rules has hit turbulence in Brussels, as European airlines manoeuvre to keep free suitcases out of cabins before EU lawmakers decide their final approach. On Wednesday, airlines announced they had agreed on a standard size for personal bags that passengers will be able to carry on board for free, claiming alignment with an agreement by EU countries. The "guaranteed dimensions" of 40x30x15cm would be in place "by the end of the 2025 summer season," the trade association Airlines for Europe said on Wednesday. 'Carriers will continue to permit larger personal items at their discretion.' This modestly sized "personal item" – actually smaller than what no-frills carrier Ryanair currently allows for free – is what national governments have agreed should be the bare minimum. Last month, the European Parliament's transport committee decided that passengers should be allowed an additional small suitcase of up to 7kg, also free of charge. However, final talks with the European Parliament have yet to begin, and a source close to the negotiations told Euractiv they are unlikely to start before October. Steven Berger, of Brussels-based consumer rights group BEUC, is sceptical of the airlines' sudden show of flexibility. 'By stating they will comply with the Council proposal, they want to show 'good will' from their side to avoid having a regulation on this, especially to avoid the rules proposed by the European Parliament,' he told Euractiv. The size proposed by EU governments is 'ridiculously small' and setting it as a formal EU standard would be 'detrimental' to consumers, Berger added, voicing support for the Parliament's approach. The Council's one-handbag rule, he warned, would legitimise airlines that force travellers to choose between bringing their laptop or a change of clothes. The bag-plus-suitcase allowance backed by MEPs reflects 'the basic expectations of consumers', he said. Beyond cabin baggage, BEUC also wants lawmakers to reject the Council's position on compensation rights. Governments have proposed limiting compensation to delays between four and six hours, instead of the current three-hour threshold. (rh, de)
Times
25-06-2025
- Business
- Times
Brussels may ban airlines from charging for carry-on luggage
We've all been there: rolling, folding and scrunching clothes for a holiday into a tiny bag that'll fit under the seat in front on a plane. Soon, however, paying more to take a cabin bag that's actually big enough to pack the clothes you need could be a thing of the past. The European Union is planning to ban airlines from charging extra to take both a 'personal item' — the small under-seat bag — and a one small carry-on wheelie bag. The wheelie bag would be stowed in the overhead locker and would need to weigh less than 7kg and have maximum dimensions of 100cm (sum of length, width and height). Members of the European parliament's transport and tourism committee voted to ban airlines charging extra for two bags, in an effort to simplify booking processes, remove so-called drip pricing and save consumers money. There will now be negotiations with EU member states before a final decision is made on the policy. Steven Berger, senior legal officer at the European Consumer Organisation, a lobbying group, said: 'Consumers should be allowed to bring both a personal item and hand baggage on board without extra charges. 'This is a basic consumer expectation and it fully aligns with the Court of Justice's ruling that reasonable-sized hand luggage cannot be subject to additional fees.' Airlines have increasingly adopted a model where basic tickets only include a small rucksack or handbag. Passengers can then pay extra to book a specific seat, bring a wheelie bag on board or check a bag into the hold. In its half-year results, published last month, easyJet — the UK's biggest airline — said that ancillary revenue in the six months to March 31 was up 7.4 per cent to £978 million from £911 million the year before. Ancillaries include extras such as cabin baggage, priority boarding or food. Airlines are apoplectic at the proposed change to EU law. While the UK is no longer part of the bloc, the rules would apply on all flights leaving the EU. In order to avoid passenger confusion, carriers would probably need to standardise rules on outbound flights leaving the UK. Airlines for Europe (A4E), the trade body, accused the EU of depriving travellers of 'their ability to decide what service they want to pay for and, most importantly, what service they don't'. It warned that flight prices could rise as a result of the plans. 'Forcing a mandatory trolley bag [allowance] strips passengers of that choice and obliges passengers to pay for services they may not want or need,' said Ourania Georgoutsakou, the A4E managing director. 'What's next? Mandatory popcorn and drinks as part of your cinema ticket? The European parliament should let travellers decide what services they want.' MEPs also voted to strengthen passenger rights when it comes to children. They said airlines should be forced to ensure children under 12 are sitting next to their accompanying adult for no extra charge. Similarly, they voted that passengers with reduced mobility should be able to travel alongside an accompanying person at no extra cost.
Daily Mirror
10-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Passengers flying with major airlines to face new 4 hour rule at airports
In a huge blow to Brits, EU countries have green-lighted controversial plans to lengthen the wait time before delayed passengers can claim compensation for both short and long-haul journeys Customers flying with some big name air operators on short-haul flights have been hit with a brutal four-hour warning over a controversial shakeup. After 12 years of wrangling, EU countries have green-lighted plans to lengthen the wait time before flyers can lodge claims for delayed flights. Currently, passengers have to be delayed by more than three hours before qualifying for compensation. However, under the new stipulations - which still have to be negotiated with the European Parliament before they become law - short-haul travellers will only be eligible to claim compensation after being delayed by four hours or more, while those on longer journeys will have to sit tight for a six-hour hold-up before they can lodge a compensation claim. It's not all bad news though, as EU nations have also agreed to increase the amount of compensation for those delayed on short-haul journeys from €250 (approx £210.47) to €300 (£252.56). But, passengers hit with delays on long-haul flights could see their compensation reduce from €600 (£505) to €500 (£420). The trade body Airlines for Europe (A4E), which represents companies such as Ryanair, easyJet and Lufthansa, and The European Consumer Organisation, the BEUC, both slammed the rules - arguing it would deprive the majority of passengers from being able to claim compensation. This is because most delays are only between two and four hours. "Europe has been waiting for transparent and workable passenger rights for 12 years and member states have fallen at the final hurdle to deliver," A4E said. "Member states have diluted the European Commission's original proposal and introduced even more complexity." According to Yorkshire Live, German members of the European People's Party have also expressed their disapproval, stating that 'decreasing the rights to compensation for air passengers would be a step in the wrong direction'. "Reimbursement after a three-hour delay has been standard for many years and should remain so," they added. A senior EU diplomat is believed to have said that 'no politician wants to say more than four hours' at risk of dampening Europeans' holiday plans. The news comes amidst accusations by 16 consumer protection associations from 12 Member States against seven budget airlines for imposing unfair charges on passengers' hand luggage. "The European Court of Justice has made it very clear that hand baggage is an integral part of the basic ticket price. Normally, there is no surcharge on the price as long as the hand luggage is of a reasonable size," explained Steven Berger, a solicitor with the European Consumers' Organisation (BEUC). "All we're seeing is a proliferation of airlines charging for this baggage... We're calling for very clear rules. Passengers must be able to take one piece of luggage, a small suitcase or a rucksack." He added: "At the moment, there are two different opposing positions among the member states in the Council. On the whole, you have the camp of the member states that are going to defend the three hours to be able to benefit from the right to compensation and others that are going to ask for five hours and nine hours based on distance. So right now this is really the big source of conflict." *Prices based on EUR to GBP conversions at the time of writing.
Daily Record
09-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Ryanair, Jet2, TUI and easyJet passengers facing '4 hour rule' change
The carriers will no longer have to pay out if their flight is delayed for three hours under new plans. Passengers flying with carriers like Ryanair, TUI, Jet2 and easyJet would no longer be able to claim money if their flights are delayed by three hours. The European Union has put forward proposals that the delay now has to be four hours for compensation to be paid. Until now, if a short-haul flight was delayed by three hours or more and it was the airline's fault, customers would be entitled to compensation. But EU countries have now agreed to increase the amount of time passengers will have to wait before they can claim compensation for a delayed flight after 12 years of negotiations. It also means that those taking long-haul flights would need to be delayed for six hours before they are entitled to any compensation, under the plans. The EU countries agreed to increase the amount of compensation for those delayed on short-haul flights from €250 (£211) to €300, but plan to reduce compensation for long-haul flights from €600 to €500. The decision was made by EU transport ministers last week, reports Birmingham Live. But the proposals have still to be negotiated with the European Parliament before becoming law. Airlines for Europe (A4E) represents Europe's major airlines, including Lufthansa, EasyJet and Ryanair. It said that 70 per cent of flights that end up being cancelled could be saved at a five-hour threshold 'benefiting up to 10 million passengers per year'. In a statement they said: 'Europe has been waiting for transparent and workable passenger rights for 12 years and member states have fallen at the final hurdle to deliver. Member states have diluted the European Commission's original proposal and introduced even more complexity." German lawmakers from the European People's Party said that 'decreasing the rights to compensation for air passengers would be a step in the wrong direction." They went on: "Reimbursement after a three-hour delay has been standard for many years and should remain so." The change would be a significant blow to holidaymakers who are held up at airports across the continent. The UK does have its own rules on air passenger rights, based on EU regulation. They are that airlines must compensate passengers if their flight arrives at its destination more than three hours late and extraordinary circumstances did not cause the delay. There are fears that the plans could affect UK travellers though as it will apply to those flying with an EU carrier. It comes as 16 consumer protection associations from 12 member states are accusing seven low-cost airlines of charging passengers undue fees for their hand luggage. "The European Court of Justice has made it very clear that hand baggage is an integral part of the basic ticket price. Normally, there is no surcharge on the price as long as the hand luggage is of a reasonable size," said Steven Berger, a lawyer with the European Consumers' Organisation (BEUC). "All we're seeing is a proliferation of airlines charging for this baggage (...) we're calling for very clear rules. Passengers must be able to take one piece of luggage, a small suitcase or a rucksack," he added.
Euronews
03-06-2025
- Business
- Euronews
Exclusive: EU countries to mull charging for cabin baggage
Proposals to allow charging air passengers for carry-on cabin baggage and only permit compensation for longer delays to flights are set to be wrangled by EU countries' ambassadors meeting on Wednesday, according to two sources familiar with the issue. The proposals are part of a wider project to reform EU air passenger rights on the negotiating set to be negotiated by member states on Wednesday before presentation to a meeting of the 27 transport ministers on Thursday. The draft proposes creating a new free hand luggage item, one that can be slipped under the seat, leaving other stowed cabin bags exposed to charges. The outcome of this cabin baggage tax is sensitive, and its adoption is far from certain, sources said. The debate heated up last month after European Consumers' Organisation (BEUC) lodged a complaint. In all, 16 consumer protection associations from 12 Member States are accusing seven low-cost airlines of charging passengers undue fees for their hand luggage. "The European Court of Justice has made it very clear that hand baggage is an integral part of the basic ticket price. Normally, there is no surcharge on the price as long as the hand luggage is of a reasonable size," said Steven Berger, a lawyer with the European Consumers' Organisation (BEUC). "All we're seeing is a proliferation of airlines charging for this baggage (...) we're calling for very clear rules. Passengers must be able to take one piece of luggage, a small suitcase or a rucksack," he added. European airlines have a different interpretation of the case law. Kevin Hiney, Communications Director of A4E (Airlines for Europe), pointed out that "under European law and the single market, airlines have the right to unbundle their services in order to offer the best possible package to passengers". For the organisation, which represents 17 airlines in Europe and 80% of European air traffic, the proposal on the table merely seeks to harmonise different approaches between companies on this cabin baggage. "I think it's important to stress that what the current proposal from the Poles (the rotating Presidency of the Council of the EU) is doing is setting the dimensions of these personal items to ensure clarity and transparency for all passengers, as well as for the airlines," said Kevin Hiney. In this political battle, consumers should be able to count on Spain to make their voice heard. Last November, Madrid condemned five airlines for abusive practices. The €179 million fine concerns, among other things, these extra charges on hand luggage. A proposal to revise the 2004 European regulations on compensation for delays also set to be discussed by ambassadors on Wednesday is also causing concern among civil society, carriers and governments. Passenger groups and airlines both want to see the rules revised, but in different ways. A European Commission proposal presented in 2013 envisaged extending the time limit required to trigger compensation to 5 hours of delay. The text presented to the member states by the Polish Presidency now moves in this same direction, proposing to extend the time limit for claiming primary compensation to 4 hours, with a second step from 6 hours depending on the distance of the journey. At present, compensation of between €250 and €600 euros can be claimed for delays of 3 hours or more. The European directive applies to all flights departing from an EU airport, regardless of the nationality of the airline, and to flights arriving at EU airports if they are operated by an EU airline. It does not apply to flights to Europe operated by non-EU airlines, or to non-EU flights with a stopover in Europe. For A4E, the proposal is a step in the right direction. "We believe that the compensation thresholds should be extended to allow us to have a chance of recovering flight schedules when things go wrong," explains Kevin Hiney. "In the event of a mechanical problem, airlines have to find a replacement aircraft or crew, which takes time," he pointed out. "By adjusting the thresholds for compensation for delays, we will have a fighting chance to make these changes, to put in place the new aircraft and crew," said Kevin Hiney. According to BEUC, the proposed reform would deprive a very large number of passengers of compensation. "If the text is voted on as it stands between the member states, before negotiations with the Parliament, we will be sending out a very bad signal to European consumers by going back on rights that are really fundamental when travelling," says Steven Berger. However, the outcome of the negotiations is uncertain. "At the moment, there are two different opposing positions among the member states in the Council. On the whole, you have the camp of the member states that are going to defend the three hours to be able to benefit from the right to compensation and others that are going to ask for five hours and nine hours based on distance. So right now this is really the big source of conflict," said Steven Berger. Just ten or so countries would constitute a blocking minority within the EU Council. Before the ambassadors' meeting, Germany and Spain seemed to be opposed to any change in the compensation rules. However, it is the entire revision that must be validated or rejected. In other words, opposing changes to the compensation rules will bring down the whole reform. Dutch far-right politician Geert Wilders has announced that his Party For Freedom (PVV) will leave the governing coalition over a migration dispute. The withdrawal, which comes three weeks before the Netherlands is due to host a NATO summit in the Hague, could spell the end of the 11-month-old government of Prime Minister Dick Schoof. Wilders confirmed the move in a social media post on X, saying he had taken the decision because his coalition partners were unwilling to agree to his migration plans. "No signature under our asylum plans. The PVV leaves the coalition," he wrote on Tuesday morning. 'I signed up for the toughest asylum policy and not the downfall of the Netherlands,' Wilders told reporters. His coalition partners hit out at the move, with Dilan Yesilgöz, the leader of the right-wing People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), saying she was "shocked" by the decision, which she described as "super-irresponsible". Caroline van der Plas, leader of the populist Farmers Citizens Movement (BBB), also expressed her disappointment. 'He is not putting the Netherlands first, he is putting Geert Wilders first,' she told Dutch broadcaster NOS. Since last July, the PVV has been in a coalition with the VVD, the BBB and the centrist New Social Contract (NSC) party. Wilders presented a 10-point plan last Monday to radically reduce migration, putting pressure on the four-party coalition to toughen its migration policy or risk a cabinet crisis. "The gloves are off," Wilders said during a press conference to announce the plan, adding that his party would withdraw from the cabinet if migration policy was not toughened up. The proposal called for a complete halt to asylum, as well as a temporary stop to family reunions for asylum seekers who have been granted refugee status, and the return of all Syrians who have applied for asylum or are in the Netherlands on temporary visas. Wilders, who has long campaigned against immigration, also wanted to close asylum centres. Opposition parties and activists have called for new asylum centres to be opened to prevent overcrowding and inhumane conditions for asylum seekers who need shelter. Wilders' PVV won a dramatic victory in the November 2023 national election, gaining 37 out of the House of Representatives' 150 seats. Despite the PVV becoming the largest party in the Dutch parliament, Wilders failed to secure the position of prime minister after resistance from other major parties. The fragile right-wing coalition has been beset by problems, surviving crisis talks in November, when an NSC minister resigned after alleged racist comments were made by other cabinet members.
