In a European Parliament plenary debate this morning on updating rules on compensation and assistance to passengers whose flights have been cancelled or delayed, two GUE/NGL MEPs emphasised the need to prioritise the travelling public's interests over air carriers'.

GUE/NGL MEP Jaromír Kohlíček said: “We have a compromise which seeks to prevent air carriers avoiding their responsibility towards the travelling public.”

The Czech MEP continued: “There are various issues that are an improvement on 2004: in terms of travelling with children, for people with disabilities, for passengers travelling with musical instruments, and for those on multiple-leg tickets. We have a balanced compromise on pricing which is a new standard for aviation.”

GUE/NGL MEP Younous Omarjee drew attention to the treatment of passengers from the ultra-peripheral regions of the EU.

“Flights to the ultra-peripheral regions fall under the category of 'extra -community flights', despite the fact they are part and parcel of the European Union and its territory,” commented the French MEP. “They do not deserve to be penalised and receive lower levels of compensation.”

GUE/NGL Press Contacts:
Emily Macintosh +32 470 85 05 08
Gay Kavanagh +32 473 84 23 20
European United Left / Nordic Green Left
European Parliamentary Group