Passenger Rights Rule Nuance Could Help Airlines

BELFAST, Northern Ireland—Under updated EU passenger rights rules, which are set to enter force in October 2027, changes to the definition of “arrival time” could be a positive for airlines.

While European airlines are generally dissatisfied with the revision of EU passenger rights rules finalized this summer, there could be a bright spot according to Danish Air Transport CEO Jesper Rungholm.

“The official delay cut off for the three hours is going to be aircraft on blocks time, rather than the door-open time,” Rungholm told ATW on the sidelines of the European Regions Airline Association (ERAA) General Assembly in Belfast. 

Under the original EU261 regulation arrival time was not defined, despite it being a key component in establishing delays and passenger entitlement to compensation. Instead, a 2014 Germanwings case established arrival time as the point when at least one aircraft door is opened and passengers are permitted to leave.

Rungholm said the doors open time was ambiguous and difficult for airlines to evidence during legal challenges. “Passengers sitting in the back of the airplane, when do they get out of the airplane? That sometimes takes 15 minutes before they're out. Are they then arriving 15 minutes later than the one sitting in front?”  Rungholm said.

The 2026 revision changes the definition of arrival time to on-block time, when the aircraft reaches the arrival stand and parking brakes are engaged.

“We're changing to something that is official and stated by the airport in their report or in their statistics,” Rungholm said. “It's much, much better because on-block time is absolutely objective. I think that's going to be a big benefit.”