Other rights

Air transport is the subject of a contract granting certain rights to passengers.

Under international agreements, an airline is responsible for damages caused by delay unless it can prove that it did everything reasonably possible to avoid these damages, or that it was impossible to do so. It is also responsible for the loss of, or damage caused to, luggage. Find out more from your airline or your travel agency.

Respecting passenger rights

The passenger rights mentioned above are either directly covered by European Community legislation, or by different national legislations that implement Community directives. Therefore, they must be respected by airlines, by travel agents, by tour operators and by all other professions involved in the provision of air transport services.

The passenger must first of all contact the airline or the package holiday organizer.

If the passenger deems that the legislation has not ben respected, he or she can contact the relevant national air transport or consumer protection body (details given hereafter, where available).

Any passenger who has undergone damages arising out of a failure to respect the Community legislation may be justified in initiating civil proceedings before the national tribunals.

Associations of consumers and passengers can also provide advice and assistance.

Passengers can also advise the European Commission's Directorate-General of Energy and Transport of the outcome of any claim (Direction Générale Energie et Transports, Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 200, 1049 Brussels. Fax : (32) 2 299 10 15. apright@cec.eu.int).