EU countries urge suspension of air passenger rights to refunds

Twelve European Union governments urged the EU executive on Wednesday to suspend rules forcing cash-drained airlines to offer full refunds for cancelled flights instead of vouchers for future travel because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Airlines across Europe, including Lufthansa and Air France KLM, have sought state rescues as coronavirus lockdowns have forced them to ground their fleets for more than a month, with no end in sight.

Transport ministers of Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, France, Greece, Ireland, Latvia, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland and Portugal have asked the European Commission for a temporary amendment to the rules.

In a joint statement, they said the bloc's executive should propose the amendment as a matter of urgency. Consumers should be made to settle for vouchers instead of refunds with certain conditions.

Vouchers...