Brussels, 15 June 2026 – Thirteen years in the making, today’s deal is a missed opportunity for a balanced reform that would have delivered what passengers care about most: getting to their destination on time and having the freedom to opt for the services that matter to them.

Maintaining the current delay and compensation rules will not reduce or prevent delays and cancellations, most of which are outside airline control. Obliging airlines to artificially inflate prices by including the cost of hand baggage in the displayed airfare contradicts established EU law protecting opt-ins instead of opt-outs.

“The commitment the Council and European Parliament have shown on passenger rights must now be turned towards managing the transition to net zero and ending Europe’s airspace inefficiencies,” stated Ourania Georgoutsakou, Managing Director of Airlines for Europe (A4E). “Use aviation EU ETS funds to purchase SAF and finance clean technologies, spend air traffic charges to recruit more controllers, and address carbon and business leakage that leaves European airlines and destinations less competitive than their global rivals.”

ENDS

A4E Media Contact:

Ben Kennard
Director of Communications, A4E
+32 (0) 485 88 66 44
Ben.kennard@a4e.eu

About Airlines for Europe (A4E)

Airlines for Europe (A4E) is Europe’s largest airline association. Based in Brussels, A4E works with policymakers to ensure aviation policy continues to connect Europeans with the world in a safe, competitive and sustainable manner. With a modern fleet of over 3,800 aircraft, A4E airlines carried over 798 million passengers in 2025 and served over 2,700 destinations across Europe and the wider world. Each year, A4E members transport around 4 million tonnes of vital goods and equipment either by freighters or passenger aircraft.