Campaigners Push to Throttle EU Proposal Accused of Being Passenger‑Unfriendly
Air Travellers Unite: The Citizens’ Initiative Fighting the EU Draft Law
Why the Fight is About More Than Just a Few Extra Minutes
Imagine you’re cruising at 35,000 feet and the flight dips below the clock—5 hours down—only to land in a messy, delayed arrival. The new draft law wants to treat that as a “non‑critical” delay and cut the compensation to a fraction of what you’re entitled to today. Campaigners say this would turn innocent travellers into a handful of “heroes” and the rest into a lone glitch in the system.
The Core Issues: Delay Thresholds and Compensation Cuts
- Raise of Delay Thresholds: From the current 2 hours to a whopping 5 hours, Air Passenger Rights would consider many flights as “on time” when they shouldn’t.
- Lowered Compensation: For each hour of delay, travellers would get reduced pay‑back—less money for less service. That’s inequality that fuels frustration.
- Compromised Safety: By focusing on “delays,” the new law would allow airlines to push bits of business while insured passengers get the short end.
Who’s Behind the Initiative?
Campaigners include:
- Travel bloggers and vloggers who voice the frustrations of the restless flyers.
- Legal advocates who are experts in consumer protection.
- Pilot and cabin crew veterans who bring an insider’s perspective.
- And everyday passengers who’ve had a little too much to say.
What It Means for Us
In a nutshell: More Safe Spaces. Citizens’ initiative means your rights are amplified, compensation is not cut, and airlines are held accountable—before the EU finalises its draft.
Step‑By‑Step: Join the Movement Today
- Spread the news on social media—tweet, post, or just holler loud enough.
- Sign the Petition in your local government’s portal.
- Register as a you being the vendor of validation—helps the official processes gather public backing.
Quick Facts Box
Fact: The draft law is currently in phase 2 of the legislative process—meaning it can still be reformed!
Final Thought
Remember, our air journeys are a shared adventure. When we band together, we restore the seat-of-the-pants reality that we all deserve. Let’s keep the skies friendly, not hostile!
EU Flight Cancellations: A New Petition Fight Against the “Passenger‑Hostile” Plan
There’s a fresh campaign out of the gate, rallying like a bicycle signalling protest: reverse the EU’s “passenger‑hostile” overhaul. Citizens want to protect their flight rights from a policy that could cost them more money, more time, and—worst of all—lose them the dignity of fair treatment.
What’s Driving the Movement?
Professor Alberto Alemanno, the Good Lobby founder and a key organizer, says the EU “has finally gone off track.” He quotes a decade of legislative stalemate, noting that European governments have “worsened” the rights of air travellers, and pledges to give people a voice against it.
The Petition’s Impact
Collecting signatures gives nothing to the Commission but the duty to respond in six months. Even if the Commission decides not to act, it must explain why.
Current Compensation Rules at a Glance
- Passengers can claim €250–€600 if a flight is delayed by at least three hours.
- That rule might shift.
The Proposed Change
After 12 years of political deadlock, a slim majority of EU states voted to raise the delay threshold to four–six hours and cut the compensation for long‑haul flights (those over 3,500 km) by €100.
Because the plan still needs both the European Commission and Parliament to green‑light it, MEPs across the spectrum have voiced robust opposition.
“People must always come first before profit,” said Dutch S&D MEP Mohammed Chahim. He added, “Nobody is asking airlines for a favour—they pay for services and if those services are broken, they deserve a fair fix.”
Voices from Both Sides
Consumer Advocacy
The European Consumer Association (BEUC) warned that the higher thresholds would block most EU passengers from claiming compensation, as most delays fall between two and four hours.
Airlines’ Position
Airlines for Europe (A4E), representing Ryanair, easyJet, Lufthansa and others, argues the reform would make passenger rights clearer and easier to enforce. A4E says:
Today, airlines are often forced to cancel flights they could otherwise operate with a delay, because short delays trigger compensation. Most people want to reach their destination, not sit tight for a payout.
— Ourania Georgoutsakou, Managing Director, A4E
Under the Commission’s original plan, the time threshold would jump from three to five hours for short‑haul flights and from three to nine hours for long‑haul flights.
Projected Outcomes
Georgoutsakou estimates that the shift alone could curb up to 70% of avoidable cancellations across the EU. She added that it would help airlines recover schedules faster, reduce knock‑on delays, and avoid unnecessary cancellations.
Parliament’s Counter‑Move
Parliament has until early October to submit a counter‑position. The Council, in June, skipped informal talks with MEPs and adopted a legally binding stance.
MEP Andrey Novakov (Bulgaria/EPP), the lead negotiator, warned:
We cannot allow the member states to undermine the hard‑won rights of air passengers. Weakening these rights would betray the trust that citizens have placed in the EU to defend their interests.
That’s the pitch: a petition to push back against a reform that, in the eyes of many, turns customers from protected travellers into pawns of profit. Only time will tell if Europe will heed the calls or let the scales tip.
