The European Parliament has always been a strong advocate of passenger rights irrespective of the mode of transport used. Its main aim is now to ensure that the texts adopted in recent years are properly applied.

Common rules have been drawn up in an effort to ensure that passengers receive at least a minimum level of assistance in the event of serious delays to or cancellation of their journey, irrespective of the mode of transport used, and, in particular, to protect more vulnerable travellers. The rules also provide for compensation schemes. A wide range of derogations may be granted for rail and road transport services, however, and court actions challenging the application of the rules are still common.

See more on this topic by visiting our <a href="https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/passenger-rights-8th-parliamentary-term_9702_pk">package</a> for the 8th parliamentary term.

Passenger rights

Zaventem Airport - Check-in

Zaventem Airport - Departures board

Air passenger right - Lost, damaged or delayed luggage ?

EP plenary session - Rail passengers' rights and obligations

Press conference on Rail passengers' rights and obligations

Plenary session week 43 2017 in Strasbourg - Neutrality of airline reservation systems and restriction of access to flight information

Plenary session Week 40 2017 in Strasbourg - Thousands of cancellations of flights by Ryanair and the enforcement of the air passenger rights Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 - Council and Commission statements

TRAN committee meeting Air passenger rights

TRAN committee - Vote on air passenger rights

Piraeus Port in Athens

Zaventem Airport

British socialist MEPs David Robert BOWE, Linda McAVAN action for passengers rights

MEPs debated and approved the agreement with member states on the revised rules on rail passengers’ rights. The rules will guarantee that passengers can be re-routed and receive help when there are delays and cancellations. Access and assistance will improve for people with reduced mobility, and there will be more dedicated spaces for bicycles. Extracts from the debate with Bogusław LIBERADZKI (S&D, PL), Rapporteur, Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Sven SCHULZE (EPP, DE), Johan DANIELSSON (S&D, SE) and José Ramón BAUZÁ DÍAZ (Renew, ES), announcement of the results and illustrative shots.

Rail passengers' rights and obligations: extracts from the debate (28/04) and from the vote (29/04)

This Infoclip illustrates the accessibility of railway infrastructure for a person with reduced mobility at the Station of Strasbourg: arrival, pick up by a steward from the station, assistance for access to the train.

Infoclip: Railway - Accessibility for people with reduced mobility

This Infoclip illustrates general atmosphere in the railway station of Brussels, Strasbourg and Karlsruhe.

Infoclip: Railway - Passenger transport

This Infoclip shows travellers waiting to take their flight at the Brussels national Airport. Before boarding, the plane is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected by the cleaning staff.

Infoclip: Covid-19 - Prevention measures - Airplane disinfection

This video presents general views of Lisbon and Queluz, Portugal, during the Coronavirus (Covid 19) outbreak; general views of the city of Lisbon and its airport, and views of a group of beer producers transforming disinfectant into Antibacterial gel for free distribution to firefighters, hospitals and police forces in Queluz.

Infoclip: Covid-19 - Portugal

This video presents general views of Brussels Airport, Belgium, during the Coronavirus (Covid 19) outbreak; empty departure hall, passengers with gloves and masks and planes parked on the tarmac.

Infoclip: Covid-19 - Belgium

This video presents views of Madrid, Spain; its empty streets, its airport with poeple waiting, the supermarkets and the hospitals.

Infoclip: Covid-19 - Spain

During the plenary session (12-15/11/18) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate (14/11) and vote on updated rules on European rail passenger rights. Those include more compensation for travellers in case of delays, better information given to passengers about their rights, better assistance to people with reduced mobility, better access to cyclists and clearer complaints-handling procedures. Statements by Bogusław LIBERADZKI (S&D, PL), Rapporteur, Violeta BULC, Member of the EC in charge of Transport, Renaud MUSELIER (EPP, FR) and Lucy ANDERSON (S&D, UK). Results from the vote: 533 votes in favour, 37 against and 47 abstentions. Illustrative shots on railway transport and passengers.

Rail passengers' rights and obligations: extracts from the vote on the report Bogusław LIBERADZKI (S&D, PL), from the debate (14/11) and illustrative shots

Bogusław LIBERADZKI (S&D, PL), rapporteur, speaks to the press about rail passengers' rights and obligations, during the plenary session (12-15/11/18) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

Press conference by Bogusław LIBERADZKI (S&D, PL), rapporteur, on Rail passengers' rights and obligations

This infoclip illustrates the railway network in the EU and multimodality

Infoclip: Mobility 2018 - Rail, multimodality

During the EP plenary session (2-5 October 2017) in Strasbourg, MEPs debate with the Council and Commission how to enforce passenger rights in the event of massive flight cancellations, like Ryanair’s. Statements by Matti MAASIKAS, Estonian Deputy Minister for EU Affairs and Violeta BULC, Member of the EC in charge of Transport.

Thousands of cancellations of flights by Ryanair (and the enforcement of the air passenger rights regulation): extracts from the debate - illustrative material

This infoclip illustrates travellers taking the train from a Belgian station. Before boarding the train, the travellers have to show their ticket to the train operator. View of the crowds with luggage.

Infoclip: Transport - Train travellers

During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on the rights of passengers.

Passenger rights: extracts from the debate

The Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) meet to discussed passenger rights and ccidents in civil aviation, in the European Parliament in Brussels.

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