European Union member states are set to deliberate on significant revisions to air passenger rights, including the possibility of allowing airlines to charge for cabin baggage and extending the threshold for flight delay compensation.

Under current EU regulations, passengers are entitled to compensation ranging from €250 to €600 for flight delays exceeding three hours. The proposed changes, presented by the Polish Presidency, suggest extending this threshold to four hours, with further adjustments based on flight distance.

According to Euronews, airlines, represented by industry group Airlines for Europe (A4E), support the proposed extension, arguing it would provide more flexibility in managing unforeseen disruptions. Kevin Hiney of A4E stated that adjusting compensation thresholds could help airlines recover schedules more effectively during operational challenges.

Conversely, consumer advocacy groups express concern over the potential erosion of passenger rights. Steven Berger of the European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) warned that the proposed reforms could deprive a significant number of passengers of compensation, sending a negative signal to European consumers.

The issue of cabin baggage fees has also garnered attention. While the European Court of Justice has previously ruled that charging for reasonably sized hand luggage is illegal, some budget airlines continue to impose such fees. Consumer groups, including BEUC, urge the EU to enforce existing rulings and clarify regulations to prevent airlines from exploiting passengers.

Any agreed-upon changes would require approval from the European Parliament before implementation. Given the polarizing nature of the suggested reforms, intense lobbying from both airline industry stakeholders and consumer rights groups is expected in the coming months.