118 CHA

Relation of air passenger rights. Transport Ministers of the European Union have reached a political agreement on Thursday to reform the regulations on passenger rights that will mean raise from the current 3 hours to 4 and 6 hours -in the function of the distance from the flight- the minimum delay time that will entitle the passenger to ask for compensation; An agreement that goes ahead by qualified majority and the vote against Spain, Germany, Estonia and Portugal.

In return, the compromise text that will be the basis for negotiating with the Eurocamara the definitive form of the standard also introduces the Obligation for airlines to enable a form that allows those affected to automatically process their compensation in case of cancellation.

“Thank you for the debate and for flexibility, it is a great step towards a very necessary reform to improve the rights of the EU passengers. It is possible that not everyone is fully satisfied, but I call that a good commitment, which is when no one stays one hundred percent content. We are now going to begin the negotiation with the European Parliament,” said the Minister of Poland, Dariusz Klimczk The presidency on duty of the Council.

The agreement has come forward despite the votes expressed against the representatives of Spain, Germany, Portugal and Slovenia, who have warned that this decision involves a “Relation” in the acquired rights of European passengers. In addition, Austria and Estonia have been abstained, who do not look good for the final result but do not want to be an obstacle to the agreement.

“We cannot support this proposal,” said the Secretary of State for Transport, José Antonio Santano, who has recognized “advances” but insisted that worsening the thresholds for compensation for delay was a “red line” for Spain and the result “It clearly worsens the position of the passengers.”