Proposed changes to EU flight delay compensation rules could strip 72,000 Danish passengers of their current right to reimbursement each year, prompting fierce debate between lawmakers, consumer advocates, and industry groups.
New EU Compensation Rules Spark Controversy
Thousands of Danish travelers who currently benefit from EU protections in case of flight delays could soon face reduced compensation rights. A proposal from the EU Council of Ministers plans to adjust the current rule, which grants flight delay compensation if a flight is delayed by three hours or more. The new rules would extend the compensation threshold to either four or six hours depending on flight distance.
Consumer watchdog Forbrugerrådet Tænk estimates that if the proposed changes go into effect, approximately 72,000 Danes could lose the ability to claim compensation each year. That translates to a collective loss of nearly 200 million Danish kroner (approx. $28 million USD) in annual compensation.
The suggested rule changes are currently the subject of heated discussions in Brussels, where the European Parliament’s Transport Committee and the Council of Ministers must reach a joint agreement.
Danish MEPs Push Back Against Own Government’s Stance
The proposed adjustments have drawn criticism from several Danish Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), including Social Democrat Marianne Vind, who opposes her own party’s previous support for the measure in the Danish Parliament. Despite the Social Democrats supporting the government mandate for Minister of Transport Thomas Danielsen to back the extended compensation threshold, Vind is standing firm in Brussels, arguing that the change would undermine passenger protections.
Vind, a member of the transport committee, says that passengers already face a complicated and bureaucratic claims process and asserts that extending the waiting period would make it even harder for consumers to seek justice.
Socialist People’s Party MEP Kira Marie Peter-Hansen has also expressed her opposition, calling the proposed rule “very strange” and stating that passenger rights must be strengthened, not weakened.
Industry Pushes for Flexibility, Eyes Fewer Cancellations
Not everyone agrees with the consumer advocates and MEPs. Danish aviation industry association Dansk Luftfart claims that the proposal is not a reduction in passenger rights but rather a more practical approach that would benefit travelers in the long term.
The association’s secretary general, Mathias Milling, argues that airlines need more time to respond to logistical issues and that the three-hour threshold is insufficient to arrange alternative flights or staff. By extending the time window, he says airlines could potentially reduce the number of flight cancellations altogether.
Milling also challenges the financial analysis presented by Forbrugerrådet Tænk, dismissing it as speculative. He adds that if compensation payouts are reduced, it could result in cheaper airline tickets for consumers – a point that remains highly debated.
Parliament Shows Support for Passengers
Despite the industry arguments, a clear majority in the European Parliament’s Transport Committee has issued a statement affirming their commitment to maintaining the three-hour compensation threshold. Lawmakers argue that the current rules are well understood by passengers, and increasing the waiting time would dampen consumer trust in the system.
Consumer organization Forbrugerrådet Tænk stands by its analysis and maintains that there is no guarantee that the price of airline tickets will decrease if compensation costs are cut. On the contrary, several major European airline groups posted multi-billion kroner profits in 2024, suggesting that cost savings might not be passed on to travelers.
What’s Next for Travelers?
The negotiations between the EU Parliament and the Council of Ministers are expected to continue over the coming months. The outcome will determine whether future travelers in the EU – including roughly 72,000 annual Danes affected – will retain their current compensation rights or face longer delays without recourse.
Denmark’s Minister of Transport, Thomas Danielsen, has declined to comment ahead of these discussions. However, political and public pressure is mounting as passengers, lawmakers, and advocacy groups brace for a final decision that will shape the future of air travel rights across the European Union.
