Slovenia did not support the proposal for changes to air passenger rights

The EU transport ministers finally reached an agreement on the negotiating mandate of the EU Council regarding changes to passenger rights in air transport after 12 years at a meeting in Luxembourg. Slovenia, represented by Infrastructure Minister Alenka Bratušek, did not support the proposal prepared by the Polish presidency.

The new legislative framework is expected to bring clearer and simpler rules for air passengers and strike a better balance between a high level of protection for passenger rights and maintaining connectivity or ensuring equal conditions for air carriers compared to other service providers, the EU Council announced after the meeting.

According to the Slovenian Ministry of Infrastructure, Slovenia did not support the Polish compromise proposal for the EU Council’s negotiating mandate with the European Parliament.

The ministry explained that the proposed three-hour delay threshold for shorter flights and flights within the EU, after which a passenger would be entitled to compensation, is a more effective measure. It has been shaped by case law, and Slovenia believes it also represents a better incentive for minimizing delays in air transport.

“Therefore, we did not deviate on this point and remained on the side of the passengers,” the ministry stated. Similar to Slovenia, Germany, Spain, Portugal, and Austria acted in the same way.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Minister Bratušek also spoke with European Commissioner for Transport and Tourism Apostolos Cicikostas, whom she invited to Slovenia. She emphasized the importance of fast railway passenger connections for Slovenia in light of the upcoming EU action plan for high-speed rail. The union’s goal is to connect capitals and major cities with high-speed rail links.

The commissioner assured Slovenia of support to be included on the map of high-speed rail connections, according to the ministry. (June 5)