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Passenger rights
Air - legislation in force since 2005
Why passengers' rights matter
The single market for air transport in the Community has greatly benefited passengers: they now enjoy lower fares and a wider choice of carriers and services than in the past. Liberalisation, however, is not enough. Other measures are needed to protect passengers' interests and ensure that they fully profit from the single market.
Communication on Passenger Rights in all transport modes
Communication on the application of Regulation 261/2004 (Air passenger rights)
- Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on the application of Regulation 261/2004 establishing common rules on compensation and assistance to passengers in the event of denied boarding and of cancellation or long delay of flights
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Commission staff working paper accompanying document to the communication
[146 KB]
Report on the functioning of Regulation 1107/2006 (Rights of disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility)
Volcanic ash cloud
Volcanic ash crisis of April 2010: practical guidelines [27 KB]
Volcanic ash disruption: one year on and crisis preparednessAll available translations.
Summary of press releases, statements and speeches on the volcanic ash cloud crisis
Contact us (enquiry form)
Contact address where passengers can obtain information on how to exercise their rights: Enquiry form regarding Air passenger rights.
Forms
EU Complaint Form for air passengers [305 KB] All available translations. (updated 10/03/2010, in 22 languages available through the language button)
(to be sent to the airline or competent National Enforcement Body, NOT to the European Commission)
National competent authorities
National Enforcement Bodies [223 KB] according to Regulation [EC] 261/2004 from 17 February 2005.
The EU rules oblige Member States to nominate or create “national enforcement bodies”, whose role is to verify that transport operators are treating all passengers in accordance with their rights. Passengers who believe they have not been treated correctly should contact the body in the country where the incident took place.
Posters
Airports and businesses can order (free of charge) A1 format posters and leaflets
Related documents
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Summaries of legislation
Rights of people with reduced mobility
- Legislation
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Press room
Statement by Vice-President Siim Kallas following the extraordinary meeting of transport ministers on 19 April 2010 [MEMO/10/142, 20/04/2010]All available translations.
Stranded passengers in the EU: special derogations to be applied for short stay Visa holders and passengers in transit [MEMO/10/141, 20/04/2010]All available translations.
Press statement by Commission Vice-President Siim Kallas, responsible for transport [MEMO/10/136, 19/04/2010]All available translations.
Volcanic ash cloud: President Barroso launches European Commission action to address economic consequences [IP/10/440, 18/04/2010]All available translations.
Air travel: volcanic ash cloud - EU passenger rights continue to apply [MEMO/10/131, 15/04/2010]All available translations.
50 Ways forward - Europe's best successAll available translations.
Commission gives airlines and Member States six months to make the air passenger rights regulation workAll available translations. [IP/07/471, 04/04/2007]
Passenger Rights & Air Safety - A Commission PriorityAll available translations. [MEMO/06/293, 18/07/2006]
First anniversary of Air Passenger RightsAll available translations. [IP/06/177, 17/02/2006]
Air transport: Europe reinforces passengers’ rightsAll available translations. (IP/05/181, 16/02/2005 )
Transport with a human face: new rights for passengersAll available translations. [IP/05/182, 16/02/2005]
New rights for air passengers in the whole EU [IP/04/98, 26/01/2004]
New rights for air passengers: deal is done [IP/03/1392, 15/10/2003]
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Studies
2010
2008
Assessment of contract conditions and preferential tariff schemes
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Public consultations
Possible revision of Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 on air passenger rights (19/12/2011 - 11/03/2012)
Application of EU legislation in the field of air passenger rights (15/12/2009 - 10/03/2010)
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Surveys
Special Eurobarometer - Air Passengers’ Rights: Report
[2 MB] All available translations. - Summary [804 KB] All available translations.
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Results of discussions between the competent national authorities (National Enforcement Bodies, NEB) and stakeholders
Fifth Joint Meeting NEBs & Stakeholders, Air Passenger Rights, Regulation (EC) 261/2004, Brussels, 14 May 2009
Minutes of the meeting [89 KB] Fourth Joint Meeting NEBs & Stakeholders, Air Passenger Rights, Regulation (EC) 261/2004, Brussels, 2 December 2008
Minutes of the meeting [83 KB] Understanding between NEB - NEB on complaint handling procedures
[13 KB] -
Information material
Poster on Air Passenger Rights
[494 KB] All available translations. (download A4 format or order A1 format)Leaflet on Air Passenger Rights
[154 KB] All available translations.
- Links
