On 8 July 2026, the Council of the European Union adopted a regulation amending existing EU rules on air passenger rights, enhancing compensation and assistance for denied boarding, cancellations, and long delays. The new rules codify Court of Justice case-law, clarify definitions such as 'extraordinary circumstances', and introduce provisions on rerouting, baggage, and passenger information, aiming to balance passenger protection with carrier competitiveness.
The regulation, published on 1 July 2026, amends Regulations (EC) No 261/2004 and (EC) No 2027/97. It defines 'extraordinary circumstances' with a non-exhaustive list including natural disasters and strikes, requiring carriers to prove a direct causal link to avoid compensation. Passengers gain the right to choose between reimbursement, rerouting, or a voucher (with explicit consent), and automatic reimbursement of unused voucher balances. Compensation rights extend to long delays (three-hour threshold) and missed connecting flights, with clear delay calculation rules.
they must automatically provide compensation information electronically, respond to compensation requests within 30 days, and display fares including hand baggage by default. Denied boarding on return flights solely because a passenger missed an outbound leg is prohibited, as are punitive fees for name corrections. Airport managing bodies at large airports must prepare contingency plans for multiple flight disruptions and cooperate with essential service providers.
Enhanced rights for persons with disabilities and reduced mobility include free special declaration of interest for mobility equipment, temporary replacements, and priority boarding. A voluntary 'Union Air Passenger Rights Label' is established to inform passengers of their rights. The regulation also introduces a common complaint form for baggage issues at airports and online, and requires carriers to provide accessible information on baggage allowances.
Passengers will benefit from clearer rights and faster compensation, while air carriers face increased compliance costs but greater legal certainty. Airport managing bodies may see higher operational costs due to contingency planning requirements. The regulation includes a review clause assessing potential scope extension to non-EU carriers, which could impact competitiveness. The new rules apply 20 days after publication in the Official Journal, with certain provisions phased in over two years.