The European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) Group has welcomed today’s breakthrough in the Council on new EU air passenger rights rules, marking a major step forward for passengers and families travelling across Europe.

The Council’s position reflects a number of key priorities consistently defended by the ECR during the negotiations, including stronger protections for families, fair compensation for delays, and clearer rights for travellers.

ECR Shadow Rapporteur Kosma Złotowski, said:

“We did it! After nearly two years of work, dozens of hours of very difficult negotiations, and many rounds of talks, we reached an agreement on new air passenger rights in the EU. As shadow rapporteur and head of the ECR Group delegation in these negotiations, I am particularly pleased that my amendment guaranteeing families with children free seats next to each other on planes was adopted.

“But that’s not the only good news. We also managed to maintain the right to compensation after a three-hour flight delay; defend the current compensation levels (€250-600); prohibit the cancellation of a return ticket simply because the passenger didn’t use the first leg of the journey; and prohibit fees for correcting minor errors in passenger data.

“These are tangible benefits for millions of Europeans who fly every day. I am proud to have been able to co-create this compromise. It is undoubtedly one of the most important successes of this term of the European Parliament.”

The file will now return to the European Parliament for the final stages of the legislative procedure.