IATA and A4A disappointed in over EU changes to flight cancellation payments

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Airlines for Europe (A4E), issued a joint statement in which they described their “dismay” with the European Commission’s new guidelines on the application of the EU261 passenger rights regime, which cover airlines requirements to passengers in the event of flights being cancelled. IATA and A4E said the European Commission’s new guidelines for EU261 were disappointing and unhelpful, and fell far short of the simple and temporary alleviation airlines had requested for, which included; Recognition that no compensation is due in the event of cancellations due to COVID-19, a limitation on the extensive obligations