Late on 16 June, negotiators for the European Parliament and Council struck a political deal on the first major overhaul of the EU’s Air Passenger Rights Regulation since 2004. Core compensation thresholds – €250/€400/€600 after three-hour delays – remain intact, but the package adds new obligations that will be felt immediately by travellers using Vienna, Salzburg or Innsbruck airports. Foremost is price transparency: airlines must display fares inclusive of hand-luggage charges, ending the practice of bolt-on fees that make corporate budgeting difficult. Family-seating rules obligate carriers to seat children next to parents – and passengers with reduced mobility next to companions – at no extra cost. Musicians gain the right to take instruments into the cabin when practicable, a win for Austria’s sizeable cultural-tour sector. For disruption management, airlines will have 96 hours to inform passengers in writing of their rights and how to claim compensation. Importantly for travel-managers, the regulation introduces binding response deadlines, meaning claims departments can no longer leave reimbursement requests in limbo for months. The Austrian Chamber of Commerce (WKÖ) welcomed the clarity but warned members to update travel policies. Once the deal is formally rubber-stamped – expected before the summer recess – airlines will have 12 months to comply. Companies using self-booking tools should ensure fare searches include cabin-bag pricing and that their duty-of-care messaging reflects the new communication timelines. Because the regulation also applies to non-EU airlines departing from EU airports, long-haul connections operated by carriers such as Emirates, Turkish or Qatar from Vienna will be covered. Travel-risk advisers suggest proactively alerting VIP travellers that the familiar compensation grid still applies, but documentation standards and response times will tighten.
Source: AustrianPress
