In a Eurobarometer on passenger rights in the EU, Brussels concludes that only 19% of Portuguese respondents (in a total of 26,601 interviews carried out in January and February this year) feel well informed when traveling by plane, which compares with 30% in total of 27 countries.

In a statement, the European Commission states that "passengers need more information about their rights", which is why it is publishing revised interpretative guidelines on the rights of air passengers, which aim to facilitate compliance with the regulations and will harmonize application by national bodies.

"Since 2016, the Commission has been providing guidance to address common concerns raised by national enforcement bodies, passengers and their associations, and industry representatives. Today's review notably takes into account the Court of Justice's rulings since 2016, they have clarified certain provisions, allowing for a more effective and coherent application of the rules", he points out.

The EU is the only place in the world where passengers are protected by a full set of rights, whether they travel by plane, train, ship, or bus.

These rights aim at non-discrimination, accurate, timely, and accessible information, and immediate and proportionate assistance, particularly in situations such as full flights ('overbooking'), cancelled and delayed flights, which, as Brussels recalls, require compensation from airlines.

The information, published on the community executive's website and aimed at transport service providers and national bodies, comes at peak aviation season.