IATA and Airlines for Europe (A4E) stated (18-Mar-2020) they are disappointed with new guidelines issued by the European Commission (EC) on the application of the EU261 passenger rights regime. The new guidelines are "disappointing and unhelpful" and fall "far short of the simple and temporary alleviation airlines had requested", stated the associations. Airlines had been seeking:
- Recognition that no compensation is due in the event of cancellations due to COVID-19;
- A limitation on the extensive obligations to provide care and assistance in the event of cancellations due to COVID-19;
- Flexibility to allow airlines to offer rebooking or vouchers in place of refunds in the event of cancellations due to the pandemic.
IATA and A4E stated there was "some limited help in the new guidelines" as they recognised that cancellations caused by externally imposed measures (such as the flight bans) or because of the very low demand are to be considered as an extraordinary circumstance. However the associations noted the EC's response is "inadequate" when considering the limitations on providing care and assistance due to COVID-19, and particularly the flexibility on refunds or vouchers. [more - original PR]