IATA blasts new EU passenger rights guidance during pandemic

Airline passengers whose flights are cancelled as a result of the coronavirus outbreak will be able to choose between having the cost of their ticket reimbursed or rebooking on to a later flight under new EU guidelines, a move that has prompted “dismay” at IATA. The airline trade group had requested the option for carriers to offer rebooking or vouchers instead of cash refunds for flights cancelled because of the pandemic. IATA had also asked the EC to recognise that no compensation should be due in the event of Covid-19-related cancellations, and to limit the “extensive obligations” for airlines to provide care and assistance to affected passengers. The Commission announced Wednesday a series of guidelines on how to consistently apply its EU261 passenger rights legislation across the bloc during the coronavirus crisis. <br/>