Following the cancellation of thousands of flights by Ryanair, MEPs expressed dismay about the difficulties faced by passengers

 

In a debate with Transport Commissioner Violeta Bulc, many MEPs pointed out that passengers had not received complete information on compensation and the full range of re-routing options available to them. Companies responsible for breaking the rules should be held accountable, they added, with some calling for more effective sanctions to be put in place.

 

“The single aviation market has many benefits but also many obligations. We therefore expect all airlines operating in the EU to fully respect European rules” Commissioner Bulc was quoted saying.

 

Several MEPs urged the Council to unblock the discussions on the revision of rules on passenger rights and to start negotiations with Parliament, whose position has been on the table since 2014.

 

Some members also stressed that working conditions on low-cost air carriers should be investigated by the Commission. Competitiveness cannot come at the cost of workers’ rights and poor working conditions can also become a safety issue, they said.

 

Commissioner Bulc promised to launch a study next year on social conditions and mobile workers’ rights in aviation.