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EU transport ministers want compensation for airline passengers after four hours of delay

by AI | 05.Jun 2025 | Europe in brief AI

Airline passengers would only be entitled to compensation for their flight in the future if their delay is four hours or more. This is evident from a compromise reached by European transport ministers on Thursday in Luxembourg. They still need to reach an agreement with the European Parliament.

EU transport ministers want compensation for air passengers after four hours of delay (Photo: Thomas COEX / AFP)

When a flight is delayed for more than four hours on a journey of less than 3,500 kilometers, the stranded passenger would be entitled to 300 euros, according to diplomatic sources. For longer flights, a compensation of 500 euros would apply for delays of more than six hours.

Current European legislation provides for compensation starting from three hours of delay if the airline fails to comply. This amounts to 250 euros for flights up to 1,500 kilometers, 400 euros for flights up to 3,500 kilometers, and 600 euros for long-haul flights of more than 3,500 kilometers.

Germany wanted to maintain the three-hour timeframe, but after hours of negotiations in Luxembourg, a qualified majority of member states was willing to settle on four hours. Belgium also defended three hours but showed a willingness to support the compromise provided that automatic compensation would be included.

Belgian Minister Jean-Luc Crucke spoke afterwards of “an important step” forward. According to diplomatic sources, there will be an automatic compensation form for passengers whose flight is canceled. The European Commission will conduct an impact assessment on automatic compensation in the event of delays.

As early as 2013 (!), the Commission had put an update of the rules on the table, but the member states never reached an agreement. The ministers had not even discussed the file since 2020. However, Poland, which is currently presiding over the European councils this semester, took a bite out of it and was able to force a breakthrough on Thursday. A compromise still needs to be found with the European Parliament.