From Council meeting press release of 13 July 2026 (link)
The new framework reinforces passenger protection while ensuring a fair balance with airlines’ operational realities. It also helps preserve connectivity across the EU and maintain a level playing field for airlines.
The new rules strengthen passengers’ rights by improving compensation, assistance, information, communication with airlines, and rerouting in cases of cancellation and delay. The rules also clarify the definition of extraordinary circumstances and make it easier for passengers to exercise their rights.
From European Parliament press release of 7 July 2026 (link)
Main issues concern: Securing existing compensation after three-hour flight delay; Clearer procedure for compensation claims; Price transparency and comparability of air tickets.
Under the third reading procedure, once the provisional agreement reached in the Conciliation Committee is approved by Parliament, it will have to be confirmed by Council by the beginning of August 2026. The updated rules would enter into force 20 days after publication in the Official Journal of the EU. From that moment the EU countries and companies will have one year to prepare for their implementation.
See also the Commission press release of 26 June 2026 (link)
Let’s wait for the publication and then start counting the days for the new rules to be applied (20 days + 12 months)…
(Link to the legislative procedure)
…Do you want to know more about passengers’ rights? See the latest article of the European Commission of 28 July 2026 Know your EU passenger rights before you travel – European Commission