MEPs urge flight compensation

Passengers who are refused a seat on a charter aircraft because of overbooking should be compensated, MEPs have proposed. The proposals, which go before EU Transport Commissioner, Mr Neil Kinnock, in October, will bring charter flight regulations into line with those that apply to scheduled flights. If such a passenger is prevented from travelling due to overbooking, they are automatically entitled to compensation; the new minimum is to be £130 for flights of 3,500 kilometres and at least £250 for longer flights, payable to all passengers, regardless of the category of flight.

Another recommendation in the report, presented to the European Parliament last week, was one that will oblige airlines in the EU to print details of compensation arrangements on air tickets and make the terms available at check-in counters. MEPs are also calling for compensation to be paid if a flight is cancelled for commercial reasons i.e. if (according to the airline or tour operator) there was an insufficient number travelling. They also want airlines to upgrade passengers without charging any supplement if there is space available, rather than simply denying boarding (something many airlines already do voluntarily.) If a passenger is forced to take a seat in a lower class than that which they booked, the MEPs want them to be compensated as well as refunded.