The EU261/2004 regulation means that travellers are entitled to compensation for cancelled or significantly delayed flights, unless specific and very limited exceptions apply.

EU: airlines may not circumvent passenger protection despite concerns over fuel shortages

Despite increased geopolitical concern and signs of pressure on the aviation fuel market, the European Commission makes it clear that airlines' responsibility towards passengers remains unchanged.

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According to a report by Reuters, the effects of the current situation in Iran and the Strait of Hormuz are not considered serious enough to justify exemptions from the EU's passenger protection rules.

The EU261/2004 regulation means that travellers are entitled to compensation for cancelled or severely delayed flights, unless specific and very limited exemptions apply.

The European Commission is now making it clear that exemptions can only become relevant in the event of an actual local fuel shortage - for example at a single airport or in a specific geographical area. General concern or price movements on the global market are not enough.

At the same time, the Commission clearly states that airlines may not introduce retrospective charges, such as fuel surcharges, on tickets that have already been sold. Any cost increases linked to fuel must instead be managed within the airlines' own pricing going forward.

In practice, the announcement means that the EU is maintaining that fuel risks and market volatility must be borne by the airlines - not passed on to travellers afterwards.

flights european commission aviation airlines Iran European Commission iran the Strait of Hormuz area the strait of hormuz area passenger protection
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