Flight Delay Shenanigans: Schnieder Demands Passenger Payouts Starting at Three Hours
Disruption in Air Travel: Minister Schneider Demands Reimbursement Following Three-Hour Aviation Setback - Delayed Flight: Demand for Compensation from Minister Schnieder After Three Hours of Waiting
Well, here's a kick in the teeth for late flights! Germany's Minister Schnieder is throwing a wrench in the works, demanding compensation from airlines when flights are delayed by three stinking hours. Say goodbye to your hard-earned cash lining the pockets of these airlines!
But you ain't heard nothing yet. The federal government is proposing a flat rate of 300 euros for this inconvenience, a move they claim promotes fairness for airlines. Now, if you ask me, that's just a sneaky way of screwing over the passengers even more, since the current compensation amounts vary based on flight distance between 250 and 600 euros.
Amazingly enough, these discussions are taking place in Luxembourg of all places, where EU transport ministers are locked in a heated argument over proposals from the European Commission back in 2013. Some countries are all for it, while others, like Germany, are passionately against it. Poland, current holder of the EU's Council presidency, plans to strike a compromise this Thursday.
Once the carnage settles in Luxembourg, the Council will have to batten down the hatches for negotiations with the European Parliament. But don't expect the fireworks to start popping until autumn. The European Consumer Organisation, BEUC, has already come out swinging, criticizing the new eligibility thresholds for flights, claiming they'll rob most passengers of the compensation they rightfully deserve.
So let this be a lesson to you, folks. Next time a flight gets delayed by three hours (or more), Uncle Schnieder's got your back. But watch out for that European Parliament coming up with some bullcrap counter-proposal that'll screw us over once again.
In the midst of flight delay discussions among EC countries, Minister Schnieder's proposal for standardized passenger compensation of 300 euros might seem fair at first glance, but it could potentially lead to less compensation for passengers with delayed flights covering longer distances. Interestingly, this debate is taking place in Luxembourg, where the lifestyle of extended negotiations is as common as travel-related annoyances.
