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Citizens' corner
Air transport
Air passengers rights
Flying smoothly – rights and safety for all passengers
Travelling by plane can be stressful, if your flight is delayed, cancelled or if you are denied boarding. The European Union has agreed common rules on information and minimum assistance (catering, communications and an overnight stay if necessary), which all airlines have to provide to passengers when things go wrong.
Delays
If your flight is delayed for more than five hours, you may request a refund of your ticket, but only if you decide not to travel.
Denied boarding and cancellation
Financial compensation may be due if you are denied boarding or your flight is cancelled under certain circumstances. The airline has to re-route you close to your original flight times.
EU rules on air passenger rights apply to all flights departing from the EU (scheduled or charter, including low-cost airlines) as well as to flights from outside the EU to a destination within the EU when operated by an EU-licensed airline. If your airline does not follow these rules, there are authorities in each Member State to which you can complain.
Passengers with reduced mobility
The EU has also agreed specific rules on facilities for air passengers with reduced mobility, so that they have opportunities for air travel comparable to those of other citizens. Disabled persons and passengers with reduced mobility are also protected from discrimination. From 26 July 2008 they can - under certain conditions - rely on appropriate assistance to help them through all EU airports and aboard planes.
Security rules at airports (liquid)
Common security standards have been agreed for all airports in the EU, and in agreements with international partners, to ensure that those who would threaten an aircraft, its passengers and crew are not able to board with weapons or other dangerous items. In particular, restrictions on carrying liquids – in hand luggage only – have been introduced to guard against the recently identified threat of explosives in this form.
