Respect of reimbursement deadlines by EU airlines
18.5.2020
Question for written answer E-003048/2020
to the Commission
Rule 138
Marc Angel (S&D)
We, the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists & Democrats in the European Parliament, believe that we should provide accurate answers that do not prioritise the interests of one individual or organisation over the interests of others. We have declared several times that we intend to help airlines to overcome the extraordinary circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic in order to protect their employees, without harming consumer rights.
We also welcome the Commission’s recent recommendation on vouchers provided by airlines, as EU law gives consumers the right to choose freely between a refund and a voucher. However, we have seen that a number of airlines are not reimbursing passengers for cancelled flights within seven days, even when a customer has specifically asked for a refund. Airlines often cite the large number of requests as the reason for these delays.
- 1.Is the Commission monitoring whether EU airlines are respecting the deadlines for reimbursement set out in Regulation (EC) No 261/2004?
- 2.Does it have detailed information on how many requests (exact number and value) different EU airlines have received and how much they have already paid out?
- 3.If it does not have this information, how can consumer rights abuses be stopped?