by The new rules will apply to all passengers travelling within the EU on an EU airline and will include flights on low-cost carriers, larger airlines, and scheduled and chartered flights.
Compensation of 250 euros (�167) will be the standardised sum given to passengers for the cancellation, delay or overbooking of short-haul flights, rising to 600 euros (�414) for long-haul flights.
In the event of cancellation, airlines will be obliged to provide passengers with meals and accommodation, and find them alternative transport to their final destination.
It is expected that low-cost carriers will be hardest hit by the new rules, since the compensation sums dwarf the price of their average fares.
Tim Coombs, managing director of industry analysts Aviation Economics, told the BBC: "Some small airlines may only have a couple of aircraft, and would be really hit by compensation claims if one of the craft has problems and it can't get passengers to their destination."
An easyJet spokesman accused the European Commission of failing to consult the aviation industry, adding that the new rules were "confusing".
i reckon this is good news and i doubt we will see quite so many delays in the future
