OMBUDSMAN ACTS ON EC MALADMINISTRATION CLAIM

06/05/2005

The European Ombudsman has today acted on the complaint of maladministration against the European Commission (EC) submitted by the European Regions Airline Association (ERA). The complaint was made with regard to the EC's failure to amend, or even to discuss, the incorrect and misleading information that the EC published on the new passenger rights when flights are cancelled or delayed.

The Ombudsman has asked the EC for its comments on three specific issues:

1) Its refusal to amend its leaflet, poster and factsheet.

2) Its failure to respond to ERA's request for a meeting to discuss the issue.

3) Its slow response to ERA's urgent letter of 18 February.

"We have been forced to take this action to ensure that consumers get the correct information about their travel rights," said ERA Director of Air Transport Policy, Andy Clarke.

The EC must respond to the Ombudsman by 31 July. The ERA Directorate will then have one month to submit observations on the EC's response.