Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – MEP Ștefan Mușoiu demands better protection for airline passengers, addressing abuses like overbooking, price hikes, and accessibility issues.
MEP Ștefan Mușoiu from S&D Group and member of the Romanian Social-Democrat Party demanded explanations during the Tourism and Transport Committee (TRAN) meeting about the monitoring and better safeness of the rights of airline passengers. He expressed displeasure with a series of problems and practices of EU domestic companies and also of overseas ones, complementary to the businesses that intermediate the sale of travel tickets.
Ștefan Mușoiu remarked that during the last TRAN committee meeting, he raised several concerns regarding the common issues travellers face when flying, often finding themselves in difficult situations where both time and money are at risk.
Why are price hikes and overbooking still widespread issues?
He pointed out that abuses such as flight cancellations, overbooking, and a lack of proper compensation or alternatives for passengers, especially in urgent circumstances, should no longer be tolerated. These issues affect everyone, regardless of age, status, or health.
Moreover, the MEP acknowledged that he has personally experienced unfair commercial practices. It included overbooking, unexplained price hikes, and the inability to change the name on a ticket after booking.
How do current regulations fail to protect passengers’ rights?
He pointed out that while many passengers complain about these issues, pursuing legal action is often complicated, costly, and time-consuming. Mușoiu also noted the lack of uniform legislation at the EU level and the absence of sufficient regulatory bodies to address such problems effectively.
He highlighted inconsistencies in regulations, such as unclear guidelines on hand luggage size and the refusal of some airlines to accommodate disabled passengers in wheelchairs, often citing security concerns as the reason. While acknowledging the insensitivity of such practices, he emphasized that this is the current reality.
What steps will MEP Mușoiu take on airline abuses?
Finally, Ștefan Mușoiu committed to addressing restrictive and abusive practices, such as overbooking, by pushing for legislative amendments. He also vowed to advocate for stronger regulations on intermediary companies that contribute to the uncontrolled rise in airline ticket prices. Additionally, the Social Democrat MEP expressed plans to propose amendments that would increase flexibility in ticket policies. It includes allowing name changes on tickets, with a longer adjustment period while ensuring ongoing oversight by the relevant authorities.
