FAQs on the new European airline passenger rights

The European commission wants to clarify key aspects of the law "which have been a source of difficulty for passengers and air carriers alike" and has proposed a number of changes as a result. All are subject to approval by member states and the European parliament and, if passed, won't become law until 2015. Here is a breakdown of what is on the cards: Information on delayed or cancelled flights Airlines will be obliged to inform passengers as soon as possible that a flight has been delayed or cancelled – at present there are no requirements about how much information they must give and when. Under the new rules, information must be given no later than 30 minutes after the scheduled departure time. As soon as a new departure time is known that information must be passed on. Extraordinary circumstances The term "extraordinary circumstances" is very important, as under those circumstances air carriers are not