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Key Points
➤ GBTA Position Paper on Passenger Rights
On the 29th of November, the European Commission adopted a series of proposals designed to improve the experience of passengers and travellers by strengthening their rights. This Passenger Mobility Package contains several pieces of legislation which build from lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic and can positively impact the business travel sector. In this context, GBTA has drafted a position paper which it intends to circulate to key decision-makers focusing on four recommendations:
- Ensuring clarity through better information and enhanced standardisation;
- Guaranteeing the refunding of travellers within a specified deadline;
- Creating better coordination mechanisms between Member States;
- And protecting the rights of multimodal passengers.
Considering the new rules were presented late in the parliamentary term, they will likely not be finalised before the European elections in June. However, the next European Parliament and Council will pick up the work where it was left and GBTA therefore intends to formalise and communicate its position as soon as possible to influence the legislative process.
Regarding air travel
- Passengers, even if they booked through intermediaries, can receive all relevant journey information directly from the air carrier. Intermediaries are obligated to share passengers' contact details with the air carrier solely for this purpose, with strict adherence to data protection regulations.
- Clarity on reimbursement contacts and procedures when booking via intermediaries, with transparent guidance from both the carrier and intermediary, free of charge.
- If an intermediary paid for the ticket, both the carrier and intermediary must ensure the passenger receives reimbursement within 14 days. The carrier reimburses the intermediary within 7 days, and the intermediary reimburses the passenger within another 7 days.
➤ Outcomes of COP28 in Dubai
What is new: At COP28, which concluded on 13 December, countries agreed on critical next steps for climate action. For the first time, negotiators agreed to initiate a global transition away from fossil fuels, aiming to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 by accelerating efforts towards the phase-down of unabated coal power, phasing out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies, and other measures that drive the transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems. This came alongside agreements to triple renewable energy capacity and double energy efficiency improvements by 2030.
COP28 also ended with an agreement on how to operationalise the Loss and Damage Fund that will provide support for vulnerable nations. However, not everyone was satisfied with the outcome with the Alliance of Small Island States criticism of the deal’s support for carbon capture technology. Some decisions were postponed to COP29, including details on climate adaptation on financing for the massive clean energy transition.
The key to the success of the COP28 commitments lies in translating them into national policies and mobilising substantial finance to drive transformative action toward a sustainable future.
Why it matters: The results of COP28 and future UN Climate Change conferences will set the framework for national policies aimed at reducing emissions and moving away from fossil fuels in every sector including transport.
Actions: Delphine Milot, SVP for Sustainability & Advocacy and MD of GBTA Foundation attended COP28 as GBTA | Global Business Travel Association Foundation was granted official #Observer Status, based on our advocacy work and efforts to #champion climate action in business travel. Delphine met with several EU policymakers in the transport sector, including Transport Director General from the European Commission Magda Kopczynska, and Deputy Director General Herald Ruijters, discussing ongoing EU legislative files in the transport sector. They will meet again in the coming months to
have an exchange about the EU’s priorities in the transport sector for the next legislative term.
➤ Belgian EU Presidency Priorities
What is new: The Belgian Presidency of the EU Council, that will run from 1 January to 30 June 2024, is focused on advancing several key policy files. It intends to prioritise the revision of the Single European Sky framework, aimed at harmonising air traffic management in Europe, which has been blocked for several years. Additionally, the Presidency intends to move forward with negotiations on the CountEmissionsEU Regulation, harmonising emission calculation rules in the transport sector, while strengthening the rules to protect transport workers. Belgium also intends to begin negotiations on the Passenger Rights revision package and to start discussions on the European Commission’s new 2040 climate target
expected to be presented in early February.
Despite having high ambitions, the EU Parliament election in June pose challenges to the finalisation of negotiations on these reforms within the limited timeframe.
In addition to this, the Belgian Presidency will use some of its time chairing the EU Council to negotiate the political programme for the next term of the European Parliament and Commission, starting later this year.
Why it matters: Files such the Single European Sky and CountEmissionsEU hold great significance for GBTA. The first would make air traffic in Europe much more efficient and environmentally friendly while the second would make it easier for transport stakeholders to track their emissions in a harmonised way. While these files may not be finalised before the end of the legislative term in June 2024, the Belgian Presidency could make progress in negotiating on them. Crucially, it will have the opportunity to define the priorities of the EU for the 2024-2029 legislative mandate.
More information on the Presidency programme can be found here.
➤ Looking ahead to 2024
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