Airlines and the tourism industry are eagerly awaiting the recommendations that the European Commission will issue on Wednesday regarding possible easing of corona restrictions.
It is expected that the Commission will also present advice on the validity of vouchers and the non-refunding of airline tickets, as well as on the restart of tourism.
Tourism normally accounts for almost a tenth of the economy within the European Union but is currently one of the sectors hardest hit by the global corona outbreak. “Our tourism sector is in serious trouble,” warns the European Commission, which estimates that 6.4 million jobs could be lost in the sector, reporting a revenue decline of 50 percent for hotels and restaurants and up to 90 percent for airlines.
Under the title “Europe needs a break,” the Commission will ask EU countries to maintain targeted restrictions, for example in areas with high corona infection rates. Exceptions can also be made if trains, buses, or planes are arranged differently so that passengers can keep distance from each other.
Since many Europeans are most likely to stay home this summer or take shorter trips for vacations, the peripheral regions and islands on the edges of the EU will probably still be avoided. Southern European holiday destinations such as Spain and Greece are pushing to fully reopen their borders as soon as possible.
Several European airlines have already begun resuming their flights within the EU. Passengers must wear face masks compulsorily at airports and on planes.
The airlines have also been among the first sectors to apply for financial support from the new European mega recovery fund. They also want an exemption from the EU requirement to reimburse passengers for canceled flights in cash. So far, airlines have been offering vouchers, but many customers are not satisfied with this.
Although the parliamentary committees of the European Parliament have cooperated and agreed to various exceptions and temporary procedures during the corona crisis in recent months, it is still unclear whether the Consumer Committee agrees with suspending the 'refund obligation' for airlines and travel organizations. The EP Transport Committee is reportedly mostly in favor.
Germany and several other member states have also pushed for suspension of these EU rules. The European Commission will advise those countries that they must provide state guarantees for such travel vouchers, for a maximum period of six months. “To encourage passengers and travelers to accept vouchers instead of demanding refunds, vouchers must be protected against bankruptcy. A draft decision also states that vouchers should be more flexible and transferable,” as stated in a draft decision to be discussed on Wednesday.