Passengers set for new luggage rights under EU plans

The European Union is ready to set up a new body to order airlines to pay travellers compensation when their baggage fails to arrive.

It would mean that passengers no longer have to sue airlines who refuse to pay out.

The EU announced an investigation into the growing problem of lost luggage after it was disclosed that 42 million bags failed to arrive at the same time as their owners in 2007.

In addition, the Air Transport Users Council, the consumer watchdog, complained that passengers were being short changed by airlines when they sought compensation.

At times they were being offered as little as 10 per cent of the value of the lost luggage.

Travellers’ rights were enhanced by the Montreal Convention, which came into force in 2004, scrapping a system in which passengers’ compensation was based on how much luggage weighed.

Now compensation is based on the value of the missing baggage, with a maximum payment of £1,049.

“Safeguarding passenger rights is an essential component of European transport policy,” said Antonio Tajani, vice-president of the Commission.

“The European Commission wants to be close to its citizens, providing them with solutions to the problems they encounter.

“It is for this reason that I have decided to act immediately so as to shed some light on these alarming figures which, if they were to be confirmed, would call for a strong political intervention.”

This would be the second time that the Commission has shown willingness to take on the Commission on behalf of passengers.

It has already brought in laws obliging airlines to pay compensation to passengers who are denied boarding and those whose flights have been cancelled or significantly delayed.

According to the EU the latest proposals are designed to give passengers the same rights when their luggage is lost or significantly delayed.

Simon Evans, the AUC’s chief executive welcomed the report.

“We are delighted that the EU is responding to our report,” said Simon Evans, chief executive of the AUC.

“Our findings have found that some airlines are not honouring the spirit of the Montreal Convention.

“Our real hope is that this will spur airlines and airports to make greater efforts not to lose luggage.

“But if not we hope this will lead to action being taken to ensure passengers are properly reimbursed for out of pocket expenses.” (Via Expat Life Spain)

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