EU sets out airline compensation, fuel rules amid Middle East crisis

Airlines can be exempted from paying compensation for cancelled flights only if they can prove a local fuel shortage caused the cancellation, but high fuel prices alone do not count as "extraordinary circumstances," said a guidance issued by the European Commission on Friday, reported Xinhua. The guidance came amid fuel supply disruptions and route closures linked to the Middle East crisis. It also confirmed that airlines cannot charge additional fees such as fuel surcharges, retroactively. Under the European Union(EU) rules, final ticket prices must be displayed upfront. Passengers affected by cancellations are entitled to reimbursement, re-routing, assistance at airports, and compensation for last-minute cancellations, the Commission said. The Commission added that airlines can be exempted from the 90-percent fuel uplift rule under the ReFuelEU Aviation, which requires aircraft to carry extra fuel from departure airports to avoid route closures. Airlines may also be exempted from landing and take-off slot obligations due to fuel shortages at certain airports. The EU Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) also issued a Safety Information Bulletin on using Jet A grade fuel -- commonly used in North America -- as an alternative to Europe's standard Jet A-1. The agency warned of operational risks due to their different freezing points. The European aviation sector is facing its most severe crisis since the 2020 pandemic, as the ongoing Middle East conflicts have pushed jet fuel prices to multi-year highs and forced major carriers to overhaul their strategies. The guidance came after warnings from the International Air Transport Association that cancellations could begin as early as late May if fuel shortages persist.