New guidelines: stop retroactive increases in tickets already purchased, clarification on when compensation is due (up to 600 euros) and on increases for holiday packages
The expensive fuel cannot turn into a double bill for travelers who take the plane. With summer just around the corner and millions of Europeans ready to leave, the European Union is trying to bring order to the chaos of air transport caused by the energy crisis caused by the war in the Middle East. Here then new guidelines on cancellations, refunds, fuel surcharges and compensation (up to 600 euros) to defend consumers and tourism, in one of the most delicate periods of the year, the summer.
Stop increasing prices on airline tickets already purchased
Brussels puts a first firm point on the consequences of the sharp increase in the cost of jet fuel: airlines will not be able to retroactively increase the price of tickets already purchased by passengers. Concrete translation? Those who have already booked a flight will not be able to receive additional payment requests motivated by the increase in jet fuel prices. Brussels considers it illegitimate to retroactively pass on the increase in energy costs to passengers. The principle is destined to have a significant impact especially in the height of the summer season, when companies tend to update tariffs based on the trend of energy markets and tourist demand. However, the Commission distinguishes between price increases and real fuel shortages. Expensive kerosene, alone, does not represent an “extraordinary circumstance” capable of freeing companies from their obligations towards passengers. However, the case of a concrete lack of fuel at an airport or in a specific geographical area would be different. And it is precisely on this point that the most delicate chapter for travelers opens.
When refunds and compensation of up to 600 euros are due
European rules on passenger rights provide, in the event of flight cancellation, an additional compensation ranging from 250 to 600 euros based on the distance of the flight route. The new Brussels guidelines introduce a crucial distinction, especially in view of the summer. If the flight is canceled due to a real local fuel shortagethe airline may not have to pay compensation. In this case, in fact, the situation would be classified as an “extraordinary circumstance” and the passenger would lose the right to additional economic compensation, while maintaining the fundamental protections provided by European legislation: full refund of the ticket, re-routing on another flight and airport assistance. If, however, a company decides to cancel a route simply because it is no longer profitable due to the increase in fuelthe passenger fully retains the right to additional financial compensation. The European executive’s objective is to prevent high energy costs from becoming an alibi for cutting inconvenient flights without economic consequences for the companies.
Holiday packages: increases allowed up to 8%
The rules instead change for holiday packages, where European legislation leaves greater margin to tourist operators. In this case the organizers can increase the price of the trip due to the increase in fuel prices, but only under certain conditions. The increase must be clearly foreseen in the contract and communicated to the customer at least 20 days before departure. Brussels also establishes that, if the increase exceeds 8% of the overall price of the package, the traveler has the right to withdraw without penalty.
Fuel, airport slots and crisis risk: what Europe fears
The European Commission specifies that, at the moment, there is no concrete evidence of a general shortage of jet fuel. However, Brussels admits that a possible prolongation of the geopolitical crisis could cause interruptions in supplies, especially for jet fuel coming from the Persian Gulf area.
Then there is the question of airport slotsi.e. the take-off and landing rights assigned to the companies. Brussels confirms that the simple increase in fuel does not justify exceptions to the rule of minimum use of 80% of the allocated slots. Companies, therefore, will not be able to freely reduce connections just because operating costs have increased. Finally, the door is left open to new extraordinary measures, should the energy crisis worsen in the coming months.
