Consumer rights: European Commission reports on the Package Travel Directive

Today, the Commission has adopted a report on the Package Travel Directive, taking stock of its application since it has entered into force in July 2018. The report looks into how Member States transposed the Directive into national law and assesses it in the context of the 2019 Thomas Cook bankruptcy and the challenges that have emerged during the COVID-19 crisis. Commissioner for Justice, Didier Reynders, said: “The coronavirus pandemic has led to massive travel disruptions worldwide, demonstrating how important it is to have rules in place that protect travellers in all circumstances. It is our ambition to ensure that our rules remain protective, effectively enforced, and fit for the times we live in.” As announced in its New Consumer Agenda, and building on the findings of today’s report, the Commission will carry out a deeper analysis by 2022, further evaluating whether the current regulatory framework for package travel continues to ensure robust and comprehensive consumer protection at all times. Today’s report is online here. Further information can be found on the Package Travel Directive webpage.