Exclusive: EU countries to mull cabin baggage charges, longer air delays before compensation

euronews (in English)

Exclusive: EU countries to mull cabin baggage charges, longer air delays before compensation  Proposals to charge for cabin baggage and revise the standard for obtaining compensation in the event of delays are on the agenda when the 27 EU ambassadors meet in Brussels on Wednesday.   READ MORE : http://www.euronews.com/2025/06/03/exclusive-eu-countries-to-mull-cabin-baggage-charges-longer-air-delays-before-compensation  Subscribe to our channel. Euronews is available on Dailymotion in 12 languages

Transcript

00:00What if you had to pay for cabin luggage on a plane?

00:09This question is on the table when EU ambassadors meet on Wednesday.

00:14According to sources consulted by Euronews, member states are debating a proposal to create a new free hand luggage item,

00:21one that can be slipped under the seat.

00:24This means a charge could apply to other stowed cabin bags.

00:28The consumer associations believe that this surcharge would be illegal.

00:32Actuellement, what we need to know is that the European Court said very clearly

00:36that the bags at hand are part of the base price.

00:39So, normally, there is no charge on the price at the moment when the bags at hand have a reasonable size.

00:44So, what we see is a proliferation of the companies' practices of paying these bags at hand.

00:49What we need is to have very clear rules.

00:51The passengers must be able to take a bag at hand and a small bag or a bag at hand.

00:56The Airlines for Europe Association, which represents 17 airlines, has a different view of the judge's decision.

01:03According to the organization, the reform proposal supported by the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union,

01:10should above anything provide clarification.

01:12I think it's important to point out what the current proposal from the polls does,

01:17is to set the dimensions for that personal item so that there is the clarity and transparency for all passengers,

01:23and also for airlines alike.

01:25So, I'd emphasize again, you know, under EU law, you know, under the single market,

01:30airlines have the right to unbundle their services in order to offer the best package for passengers,

01:37and that they can choose the exact services that they want to keep the price as low as possible.

01:41The other point up for discussion is regarding concerns on compensation for passengers whose flights are delayed.

01:48Currently, passengers are entitled to a compensation if flights are delayed for more than three hours.

01:53The latest proposal would increase this limit to four.

01:56Member states are divided.

01:59A few countries, including Germany and Spain, seem to be opposed to any change in the compensation rules.

02:05However, it is the entire revision that must be validated or rejected.

02:10In other words, opposing changes to the compensation rules will bring down the whole reform.

Category

Transcript

Recommended