Parliament and Council agree stronger enforcement of passenger rights

Intermediaries must refund air passengers the full ticket price within 14 days after disruption, sea, air and bus travellers get a common claim form, sea and bus travellers get three months to complain, and national enforcement bodies may investigate on their own initiative.

On 25 Jun 2026 negotiators of Parliament and the Council reached a provisional agreement on rules that make it easier for travellers by air, rail, sea, inland waterway and bus to enforce their rights. Intermediaries must refund air passengers the full ticket price plus any intermediary fee within 14 days after a cancellation, long delay or denied boarding (failing which the airline steps in within seven days); sea, air and bus travellers get a common claim form, sea and bus travellers get three months to complain, and a companion who is needed travels free with air passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility. National enforcement bodies are to be able to investigate proactively without waiting for complaints; Parliament and the Council still have to approve the deal formally. (LOK Report, 25 Jun 2026)