Agreement on new Passenger Rights: Cancelled flight is not cancelled right

The EPP Group welcomes tonight’s positive outcome of negotiations between the European Parliament and EU Member States on new rules protecting the rights of European travellers when booking package holidays. 

The new legislation updates existing rules, primarily addressing issues highlighted by the widespread cancellations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Cancelled flights should not mean cancelled rights. We now make package holidays more attractive by protecting travellers also in cases like a global pandemic or when a travel company goes bankrupt”, says Arba Kokalari MEP, EPP Group negotiator on this law.

“Travellers will now get clear information in advance about their cancellation and refund rights and more flexibility when accepting vouchers”, Kokalari explains.

The travel market plays an important role in the European economy, and package travel is a popular choice for tourists. On the initiative of the EPP Group, the agreement strikes a balance between consumer protection, SME support in tourism and avoiding excessive burdens.

“The tourism sector plays a key role in the European economy, where SME’s are the backbone. That’s why the EPP has fought for clear and simple rules that protect travellers without putting excessive burden on SMEs,” Kokalari concludes.