Germany and other EU countries want to oblige consumers in Corona times to accept vouchers for canceled trips. But the EU Commission does not participate.
Brussels (AP) - In the dispute over vouchers for canceled trips, the EU Commission is tough despite the pressure from Berlin.
In a letter to several federal ministers from which the ARD capital city studio quoted, EU Transport Commissioner Adina Valean made it clear that EU passenger rights also apply during the Corona crisis. No passenger could be forced to accept a voucher instead of a refund.
It was "important for the EU Commission to uphold our consumer rights and to help the airlines with liquidity problems in another way". Instead of mandatory vouchers, Valean recommends "making vouchers economically interesting for consumers" and "protecting them against bankruptcy".
According to EU law, plane tickets and package tours must actually be reimbursed. However, Germany wants to oblige consumers to accept a voucher instead of a refund for travel cancellations in the Corona crisis. At the beginning of April, the ministers Andreas Scheuer (CSU, transport), Christine Lambrecht (SPD, consumers) and Peter Altmaier (CDU, business) wrote to Valean and asked for compulsory vouchers to be made possible.
The EU countries are divided in the debate. Around a dozen countries have expressed similar views to Germany. The EU Commission plans to make recommendations soon.
