New air passenger rights: Compensation only after four hours of delay!

New air passenger rights: Compensation only after four hours of delay!

Today, June 6, 2025, EU transport ministers decided on a controversial change to air passenger rights at a meeting in Luxembourg. In the future, passengers will only be entitled to compensation for delays of four hours or more, instead of three hours as before. This decision has already led to lively discussions as the federal government, in particular Federal Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder, voted against the decision and is focusing on consumer protection. According to [Wort](https://www.wort.lu/luxemburg/fluggastrechte- Schadenssatz-erst-nach-vier-stunden-verspaetung/70492287.html), Schnieder makes it clear that maintaining the current regulations for short-haul flights would be desirable.

The new regulation stipulates that the four-hour limit applies to flights of up to 3,500 kilometers; For long-haul flights, there is a maximum waiting time of six hours before compensation of 500 euros is paid out. The compensation for flights up to 1,500 kilometers remains at 250 euros, while for flights up to 3,500 kilometers 300 euros will be due in the future. This represents a significant reduction in claims: Currently, passengers can charge 400 euros for shorter flights and up to 600 euros for long-haul flights if there is a three-hour delay, as Süddeutsche reports.

Controversial compromise

The compromise that is now being discussed is particularly explosive because it was originally initiated by the Polish Council Presidency, which planned to increase waiting times even more drastically. Initially, compensation was only planned for five hours or more for short-haul flights and up to nine hours for long-haul flights. However, the majority of EU states agreed to the reduced period, while Germany opposed this change.

Consumer advocates have expressed concern about the new regulation and warn that up to 60 percent of existing compensation cases could be eliminated, which would significantly weaken air passenger rights. Experts also complain about the complexity of the new regulations and call for simpler solutions for the affected passengers.

Further effects and reactions

Looking at the support within the EU, Luxembourg in particular has agreed to the agreement as it is seen as balancing consumer rights and the needs of airlines. At the same time, the EU Council Presidency sees the new regulations as an improvement in the regulations and as an opportunity to expand the rights of passengers.

Resistance in the European Parliament is expected in the coming period. MPs have stressed that they will not accept any worsening of the current status quo. The change also has important consequences for airlines: They are now obliged to offer passengers alternative transport as early as possible. In the event of non-compliance, passengers have the right to make their own arrangements and can claim up to 400 percent of the flight price back.

This reform of air passenger rights is expected to have a far-reaching impact on millions of passengers in the EU. The next steps in the legislative process depend on the negotiations in the European Parliament, which have already developed a common position that tends to be more in line with the German position.