Additional tools
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.
Public consultation
Possible revision of Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 on air passenger rights (19/12/2011 - 11/03/2012)
Communication on Passenger Rights in all transport modes
Communication on the application of Regulation 261/2004 (Air passenger rights)
Report on the functioning of Regulation 1107/2006 (Rights of disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility)
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] 
(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 [207 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
Ordering Posters and Leaflets
Airports and businesses can order (free of charge) A1 format posters and leaflets
Related documents
Summaries of legislation
Rights of people with reduced mobility
Denied-boarding compensation system
Protection of air passengers
Aviation safety: informing passengers of the carrier's identity and the blacklist of high-risk companies
Legislation
A European vision for Passengers: Communication on Passenger Rights in all transport modes [COM(2011)898]
Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 February 2004 establishing common rules on compensation and assistance to passengers in the event of denied boarding and of cancellation or long delay of flights, and repealing Regulation (EEC) No 295/91
Communication from the Commission pursuant to Article 17 of Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 on the operation and the results of this Regulation establishing common rules on compensation and assistance to passengers in the event of denied boarding and of cancellation or long delay of flights [COM(2007) 0168]
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]
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]
Press statement by Commission Vice-President Siim Kallas, responsible for transport [MEMO/10/136, 19/04/2010]
Volcanic ash cloud: President Barroso launches European Commission action to address economic consequences [IP/10/440, 18/04/2010]
Air travel: volcanic ash cloud - EU passenger rights continue to apply [MEMO/10/131, 15/04/2010]
50 Ways forward - Europe's best success
Commission gives airlines and Member States six months to make the air passenger rights regulation work [IP/07/471, 04/04/2007]
Passenger Rights & Air Safety - A Commission Priority [MEMO/06/293, 18/07/2006]
First anniversary of Air Passenger Rights [IP/06/177, 17/02/2006]
Air transport: Europe reinforces passengers’ rights (IP/05/181, 16/02/2005 )
Transport with a human face: new rights for passengers [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]
Volcanic ash cloud
Volcanic ash crisis of April 2010: practical guidelines [27 KB]
Volcanic ash disruption: one year on and crisis preparedness
Summary of press releases, statements and speeches on the volcanic ash cloud crisis
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)
Studies
2010
Report of the study "Evaluation of Regulation 261/2004" by Steer Davies Gleave on the application and enforcement of the Regulation on air passengers' rights in the EU Member States
2008
Assessment of contract conditions and preferential tariff schemes
Surveys
Special Eurobarometer - Air Passengers’ Rights: Report [2 MB] 
- Summary [804 KB]
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]
Understanding between NEB - Airlines on procedures [9 KB]
Conference
Stakeholder conference on air passenger rights
Information material
Poster on Air Passenger Rights [494 KB] (download A4 format or order A1 format)
Leaflet on Air Passenger Rights [154 KB]
Links
Air Transport
(updated 10/03/2010, in 22 languages available through the language button)