Biden wants airlines to pay passengers for delays. This is already the case in Europe
Airlines oppose compensation laws. “Airlines already have financial incentives to get their passengers to their destinations as scheduled,” Willie Walsh, the director general of the International Air Transport Association, a lobby group, criticized the Biden plan in a statement. “The additional costs that this regulation entails will not create any new incentive, but they will have to be recouped – which will likely have an impact on ticket prices.” Steer Group, an independent consultancy, has calculated that European airlines in the year A total of 5 billion euros was spent in 2018 to process the amount of compensation claims and to pay out the legitimate claims. The airline incurred an average cost of 138 euros for each disturbed passenger.
The European Air Passenger Rights Regulation was not a panacea. It can still be time consuming and frustrating to secure claim funds. Mr Zenere, for example, is still at odds with Wizz Air, the airline that postponed his trip to Venice last year. You paid too little, he said, and still owe him 250 euros for the canceled trip. “I know my rights,” he said. — Bernard Warner
Tell us what you think: What changes would you like to see implemented to make the flight experience smoother? Email us at dealbook@nytimes.com.
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