The European Union has agreed to fast-track an overhaul of air passenger rights, despite opposition from key countries Germany and Spain. Under the new rules, passengers will only be entitled to compensation for delays exceeding four hours on flights over 3,500km in length. The changes were secured by Poland, which chairs the rotating EU council presidency, with support from countries representing around 65% of the EU population. Consumer groups have expressed concerns that the new thresholds will largely exclude routine delayed flights from compensation eligibility. Airlines will be required to streamline their compensation processes in exchange for the revised rules. The European Parliament has been bypassed, and it now has four months to respond with its own position.
Source: https://www.euractiv.com/section/eet/news/spain-germany-overruled-as-compensation-for-flight-delays-gutted