Latest news with #EuropeanConsumerOrganisation
eNCA
3 days ago
- Business
- eNCA
EU states look to trim compensation for flight delays
BRUSSELS - EU countries have backed a plan to allow airlines to incur longer flight delays before having to compensate passengers -- a contested move intended to be offset by several new passenger rights. At present, passengers in Europe have a right to between 250 and 600 euros ($285-685) in compensation, depending on flight distance, for delays of three hours or more. But airlines complain that it leaves them a hefty bill, and often leads them to cancel flights rather than run them with a long delay, due to knock-on effects on flight schedules. A majority of EU states agreed late Thursday to change the rules, overcoming opposition from Germany in particular, following hours of painstaking negotiations in Luxembourg. Under the new system, the compensation threshold would increase to four hours for flights of up to 3,500 kilometres (2,175 miles), or connecting cities inside the European Union, with its amount set at 300 euros. For longer flights, the right to compensation of 500 euros would kick in after a six-hour delay. The European Consumer Organisation BEUC slammed the plan, saying the "new eligibility thresholds will deprive the majority of passengers from their compensation rights", as most delays are between two and four hours. It urged European lawmakers -- who have yet to approve the text -- to uphold passengers' rights. The compromise did not satisfy airlines either, with the umbrella group Airlines for Europe (A4E) -- which includes Air France-KLM, Lufthansa, Ryanair and easyJet -- complaining that it "introduced even more complexity" than the initial European Commission plan. But a spokesperson for the French aviation industry federation called it a "step forward" for consumers. The rules changes "clarify the law and will avoid many recurrent court disputes," said the spokesperson, Laurent Timset. Poland's infrastructure minister Dariusz Klimczak, whose country currently holds the EU presidency, meanwhile cheered the creation of "over 30 new rights" for passengers, in a statement announcing the deal. Those include a "right to be rerouted" at the earliest opportunity, including through flights operated by other carriers or alternative transport modes. The plan also creates a system for passengers to be automatically compensated for flights cancelled within 14 days of departure. And it spells out the right to assistance -- refreshments, food, accommodation -- when travel is disrupted. France's transport minister Philippe Tabarot declared himself satisfied with the compromise.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
EU states look to trim compensation for flight delays
EU countries have backed a plan to allow airlines to incur longer flight delays before having to compensate passengers -- a contested move intended to be offset by several new passenger rights. At present, passengers in Europe have a right to between 250 and 600 euros ($285-685) in compensation, depending on flight distance, for delays of three hours or more. But airlines complain that leaves them a hefty bill, and often leads them to cancel flights rather than run them with a long delay, due to knock-on effects on flight schedules. A majority of EU states agreed late Thursday to change the rules, overcoming opposition from Germany in particular, following hours of painstaking negotiations in Luxembourg. Under the new system, the compensation threshold would increase to four hours for flights of up to 3,500 kilometres (2,175 miles), or connecting cities inside the European Union, with its amount set at 300 euros. For longer flights, the right to compensation of 500 euros would kick in after a six-hour delay. The European Consumer Organisation BEUC slammed the plan, saying the "new eligibility thresholds will deprive the majority of passengers from their compensation rights", as most delays are between two and four hours. It urged European lawmakers -- who have yet to approve the text -- to uphold passengers' rights. The compromise did not satisfy airlines either, with the umbrella group Airlines for Europe (A4E) -- which includes Air France-KLM, Lufthansa, Ryanair and easyJet -- complaining that it "introduced even more complexity" than the initial European Commission plan. But a spokesperson for the French aviation industry federation called it a "step forward" for consumers. The rules changes "clarify the law and will avoid many recurrent court disputes," said the spokesperson, Laurent Timset. Poland's infrastructure minister Dariusz Klimczak, whose country currently holds the EU presidency, meanwhile cheered the creation of "over 30 new rights" for passengers, in a statement announcing the deal. Those include a "right to be rerouted" at the earliest opportunity, including through flights operated by other carriers or alternative transport modes. The plan also creates a system for passengers to be automatically compensated for flights cancelled within 14 days of departure. And it spells out the right to assistance -- refreshments, food, accommodation -- when travel is disrupted. France's transport minister Philippe Tabarot declared himself satisfied with the compromise. "The text could have been more ambitious, but it's an important step towards improving the quality of service offered to air passengers," he wrote on X. mad-adc/ec/del/rmb
Nikkei Asia
5 days ago
- Business
- Nikkei Asia
Shein targeted in consumer group complaint to European Commission
FRANKFURT, Germany -- The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) on Thursday filed a complaint against Shein to the European Commission, alleging that the ultrafast-fashion retailer uses "deceptive techniques" to manipulate consumers into overspending and fuels environmental problems. The BEUC and many of its members accused the Singapore-headquartered Chinese online retailer of bombarding users with infinitely scrolling content and pressuring them with "low-stock" messages, to push them into buying more, it said in a news release.
RTÉ News
27-05-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
Ryanair welcomes complaint regarding hand luggage fees
Ryanair has welcomed the filing of a complaint with the European Commission against it and six other European airlines over fees charged for hand luggage. The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) filed the complaint last week, alleging the carriers are charging "undue fees to consumers for their hand baggage". It is calling for an EU-wide investigation into the commercial practices of the targeted airlines and the wider sector. Ryanair, along with EasyJet, Norwegian Airlines, Transavia, Volotea, Vueling, and Wizz Air are listed in the complaint. Director General of BEUC Agustín Reyna said the seven airlines "are exploiting consumers and ignoring the EU's top court, which ruled that charging for reasonably sized hand baggage is illegal." "This was confirmed by recent fines in Spain, which made clear that passengers can bring their reasonably sized hand baggage onboard at no additional cost," he added. In response, Ryanair said the complaint "will confirm that Ryanair's baggage policy fully complies with EU Law (EU Reg 1008/2008), which grants all EU airlines the freedom to set prices, including prices of optional services". The airline added that it allows each passenger a "generous" 40cm x 25cm x 20cm personal bag on board free as part of its basic air fare, with the option to add extra bags for an additional fee should they wish. It said "this policy promotes both low fares and consumer choice. If airlines were forced to include additional carry-on bags as part of the basic fare, it would reduce choice and drive-up air fares for all passengers, which would harm consumers". In 2014, the EU Court of Justice ruled that "carriage of hand baggage cannot be made subject to a price supplement, provided that it meets reasonable requirements in terms of its weight and dimensions and complies with applicable security requirements". Ryanair said this ruling confirmed that "airlines are entitled to charge passengers for carrying extra bags, as long as the carriage of passengers' precious and indispensable items (i.e, a small personal bag) is included in the price of the ticket". In addition to the complaint over hand baggage, the European Consumer Organisation also wants the EU to clarify what services should be included in the basic ticket price. It said its data "show that consumers expect to see a small item and a piece of hand luggage when buying basic tickets." "Policymakers should also define hand luggage's 'reasonable size and weight' to avoid surprises at the airport and ultimately reduce the number of disputes costing consumers and airlines time and money," it added.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
European airlines 'exploiting' passengers with hand baggage fees
European consumer rights groups have criticised seven of the continent's leading low-cost airlines for allegedly "exploiting" passengers by charging for hand baggage and enforcing sometimes confusing and onerous stipulations. The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) and 16 members from 12 countries have filed a complaint to the European Commission targetting Easyjet, Norwegian Airlines, Ryanair, Transavia, Volotea, Vueling and Wizzair over their demanding "undue fees" from passengers for carry-on bags. "We are calling for an EU-wide investigation into the commercial practices of the targeted airlines and the wider sector,' the BEUC announced. "We are taking action against seven airlines who are exploiting consumers and are ignoring the EU top court who ruled that charging reasonably sized hand baggage is illegal," said BEUC Director General Agustin Reyna. Reyna cited a 2014 EU Court of Justice assertion that "carriage of hand baggage cannot be made subject to a price supplement, provided that it meets reasonable requirements in terms of its weight and dimensions and complies with applicable security requirements." Reyna believes revising the EU's Air Passenger Rights regime is "the perfect opportunity for the EU to clarify what services should be included in the basic ticket price." "Our data shows that consumers expect to see a small item and a piece of hand luggage when buying basic tickets," he said, citing surveys carried out around the continent. Airlines in general have in recent years been tightening restrictions around and adding fees for baggage, changes that have affected long-haul trips run by more upmarket carriers based outside Europe but which fly to and from the continent. Some of these have cut the long-haul carry-on allowance to a short-haul-style 7kg - a limit that makes it very difficult to travel with cameras and related equipment - and requiring a fee for any checked baggage. 'We're asking for a small personal item and a piece of hand-luggage, be it a hand trolley, a suitcase or a backpack, to be accounted for in the price,' the BEUC said, in response to a dpa question about baggage policies and fees applied by long-haul carriers. The BEUC added that any investigation or application of the rules would cover the sector as a whole, including all flights to and from Europe, and not just the seven European budget airlines named this week. 'We're also calling for establishing size and weight standards,' the organization added.
