European Parliament approves new passenger rights, including ticket refunds within 14 days

Cristina Petrache

20 October 2026, 14:46

International

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The European Parliament approved new rules on passenger rights on Tuesday, providing for full refunds of airline tickets purchased through travel agencies or online platforms, including intermediary fees, in the event of flight cancellations. The regulation was adopted with 652 votes in favor, two against and eight abstentions.

The airline will have to transfer the money to the intermediary within no more than seven days, while the agency or booking platform will have an additional seven days to refund the passenger. Intermediaries will be required to inform customers about the refund procedure from the moment of booking.

The new rules introduce standardized forms for requesting refunds and compensation, available in all European Union languages. People with disabilities or reduced mobility will be able to be accompanied free of charge by one person when their presence is necessary.

National authorities will receive expanded powers and will be able to initiate audits, inspections and interviews with carriers on their own initiative. The rules apply to air, rail, road and maritime transport.

The regulation must be formally approved by the EU Council and is expected to enter into force on October 23, 2027. The update is part of the European passenger mobility package proposed by the European Commission in 2023.

Context: Before the new rules on refunds, passenger rights were linked to procedures specific to each type of transport and to the obligation to first file a complaint with the company

Until the new rules came into force, passengers affected by delays, cancellations, or lost baggage had to first submit a complaint to the operator or entity from which they had purchased their ticket. If they did not receive a response within the applicable time limits, they could then refer the matter to the competent national authority in the country where the incident occurred and request assistance from the European Consumer Centre for cross-border disputes.

Separately, at EU level, changes concerning travel costs are also being prepared: from 23 October 2027, airline passengers would be entitled to a cabin bag weighing up to 7 kg, in addition to one personal item, and airlines would have to display, from the time of booking, the ticket price that includes cabin baggage.