AIRLINES MUST DO MORE TO COMPLY WITH EU LAWS ON AIR PASSENGER RIGHTS

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 16th Apr 2007

Lib Dem MEP Liz Lynne has welcomed an announcement by the European Commission that it is looking closely at the implementation of EU rules on air passenger rights and may consider further legal action to ensure that airlines are complying with EU laws on passenger rights.

EU rules come into force two years ago specifying passenger rights in the event of denied boarding, cancelled or delayed flights, but a recent report says that many airlines are not adhering to the rules, to the detriment of passengers.

Speaking from Brussels today Liz said;

"Thanks to EU legislation stranded passengers now have specific rights; yet whilst the rules mean airlines must proactively inform passengers about them, many travellers remain unaware of their entitlements."

"I know from personal experience that airlines often don't inform passengers about their rights when flights are disrupted. As we approach the summer period, this situation has to change; airlines must be accountable to the paying public and I am glad that the European Commission is now looking into whether airlines have been doing enough."