The European Parliament has given the final green light to updated EU rules to improve the protection and information passengers receive if their travel is disrupted.
The regulation will strengthen the protection of passenger rights across all modes of transport, including clearer rules for plane tickets purchased through intermediaries, a common EU form for claiming reimbursement and compensation and improved protection for vulnerable travellers.
On reimbursement, the adopted text clarifies the rules in the case of cancellations when flights are booked via an intermediary, such as travel agents or online booking platforms. Passengers are entitled to receive full reimbursement, including of any intermediation fee, within 14 days (the air carrier must transfer the payment to the intermediary within a maximum of seven days, and the intermediary must transfer it to the passenger within a further seven days). Intermediaries must inform passengers at the time of booking about the applicable reimbursement arrangements.
There will be a common EU form for passengers to submit claims for reimbursement and compensation, to be made available on the Commission’s website, in all languages and for all types of travel.
The new rules strengthen the rights of persons with disabilities and persons with reduced mobility by allowing an accompanying person to travel with them on a flight free of charge if their presence is necessary, as is already the case for travel by bus, train or ship.
National authorities are to be granted enhanced powers for investigating possible breaches of passenger rights. They will be able to proactively initiate audits, inspections or interviews of carriers, not only after receiving passenger complaints.
The updated rules now still need to be formally approved by the Council, before their publication in the EU Official Journal. They will apply from 23 October 2027 (at the same time as the air passenger rights regulation).
Adopted text will be available here (20.10.2026) European Parliament
