EU Auditors to examine passenger rights
The European Court of Auditors is to conduct an audit of passenger rights in the EU. The auditors will examine whether the scope and the reach of EU regulations have provided effective protection of passenger rights, whether passenger rights enforcement has been effective and how the European Commission has monitored implementation and reacted to problems.
The European Union is the only area in the world with a set of rules designed to ensure a minimum level of protection for passengers on the main modes of transport (aviation, rail, waterborne transport and bus/coach). Passenger rights are one of the flagship policies that the EU delivers directly to its citizens. The European Commission presents passenger rights legislation as one of its great successes in empowering consumers.
“EU law confers certain rights on passengers,” said Mr George Pufan, the Member of the European Court of Auditors responsible for the audit. “But a number of problems have become apparent since the adoption of current legislation: inconsistencies, grey zones and gaps in legislation, insufficient passenger awareness of their rights and variations in interpretation and enforcement.”
As a policy, the issue of passenger rights has involved only a limited amount of EU spending. However, ensuring that these rights are properly implemented may entail significant costs for both carriers and passengers.
The audit report is expected to be published in late 2018.
Press Release: EU Auditors to examine passenger rights
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