The Riigikogu does not support the European Parliament’s proposals and approved new positions on compensation for disrupted flights
At its sitting, the European Union Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) approved Estonia’s new positions on the initiative regarding the compensation payable in the event of delay and cancellation of flights or denied boarding.
Chairman of the European Union Affairs Peeter Tali said that the Committee had approved Estonia’s initial positions on amending the regulations concerning air travel in May last year, but since the European Parliament had made proposals for amendments for the second reading of the regulation, on which no agreement had been reached, new positions from the Member States were now needed to find a compromise. “Estonia does not support the European Parliament’s amendments because they do not ensure a balance between the rights of air passengers and the obligations of air carriers,” Tali explained. “At the same time, the competitiveness of air carriers is also important for Europe.”
If the Member States do not support the European Parliament’s proposals, the amendments will be rejected, and the Conciliation Committee will be convened. The conciliation procedure is the last opportunity to reach an agreement on the text – if no agreement is reached, the legislation will not be adopted. Cyprus, the holder of the Presidency of the Council of the EU, has already begun seeking compromises among Member States in order to find common ground with the European Parliament.
“The compensation scheme must be simple and clear,” Tali emphasised. “As a possible compromise, we are prepared to support a solution that provides for a single time threshold and a uniform compensation amount for all flights when compensating for flight delays, regardless of the length of the flight or whether it takes place within the European Union,” he said.
Estonia supports the proposal that air passengers would be entitled to compensation of up to EUR 300 for delays of four hours or more and for flight cancellations. Estonia continues to oppose proposals that would give air passengers the right to compensation only after a delay of more than five hours. As regards compensation, Estonia can support a maximum amount of EUR 600 per delayed or cancelled flight, regardless of the compensation scheme.
Director General of the Aviation Department of the Ministry of Climate Taivo Linnamägi and Adviser Silja Vöörmann presented the Government’s updated positions regarding the proposed regulation. The European Union Affairs Committee decided to approve the Government’s positions in line with the opinion of the Economic Affairs Committee.
Riigikogu Press Service
