More online travel agencies commit to refund within 14 days for cancelled flights, following a dialogue with the Commission and consumer authorities
Following a dialogue with the European Commission and the Consumer Protection Cooperation (CPC) Network of national consumer authorities, Expedia and Lastminute.com have committed to better inform consumers of their rights and ensure they receive ticket refunds within 14 days in case of a flight cancellation by the airline.
This dialogue, led by the Swedish Consumer Agency, sought to encourage online travel agencies to voluntarily adopt practices that enhance consumers protection and knowledge of their rights, as well as platforms compliance with EU legislation. It builds on the 2023 coordinated action led by the Consumer Protection Cooperation Network, which secured the same commitments from Edreams ODIGEO, Etraveli Group, and Kiwi.com. This brings the total to five major online travel agencies adhering to the same commitments.
Lastminute.com has agreed to implement most of the commitments starting on 1 July 2025, with full implementation by 1 September 2025, while Expedia has declared that its practices are in line with the agreed commitments.
The network of European consumer protection authorities will monitor whether Expedia and Lastminute.com have correctly implemented the commitments by the agreed timeline. The network will also continue to monitor the implementation of the commitments by Edreams ODIGEO, Etraveli Group and Kiwi.com. The network will furthermore continue to promote these commitments to other online travel agencies.
More information is available in a press release online.
(Markus Lammert – Tel.: +32 2 296 75 33; Guillaume Mercier – Tel.: +32 460 75 53 11; Yuliya Matsyk - Tel.: +32 2 226 27 16)
Commission approves €47 million Polish State aid scheme to support rail network interoperability
The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €47 million Polish scheme to remove technical barriers to rail interoperability and to improve the security and efficiency of rail transport. The scheme will be funded by the European Funds for Infrastructure, Climate, Environment (FEnIKS) Programme 2021-27, which is financed from the European Regional Development Fund and the Cohesion Funds. The measure is intended to promote the shift in transport from road to rail.
The scheme supports the installation of the European Rail Traffic Management System (‘ERTMS) Baseline 4 or higher on new or modernised railway vehicles in Poland. ERTMS is a single European railway management and safety control system that aims to replace the different national systems currently in operation throughout Europe.
Under the scheme, which will run until 31 December 2029, the aid will take the form of direct grants. Eligible beneficiaries are railway companies operating in the rail freight and passenger transport sectors, as well as rolling stock leasing companies. The aid will cover up to 85% of eligible costs, which includes the cost of the equipment and the cost of retrofitting.
The Commission assessed the scheme under EU State aid rules, in particular Article 93 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union on transport coordination, and the 2008 Commission Guidelines on State aid for railway undertakings. The Commission found that the Polish scheme is necessary to promote the use of rail transport, which is less polluting than road transport and contributes to reducing road congestion, in line with the objectives of the EU Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy and of the European Green Deal. The Commission also found that the aid will have an incentive effect as the beneficiaries would not carry out the investment to the same extent without public support. Finally, the Commission concluded that the scheme is proportionate, as is limited to the minimum necessary and has a limited impact on competition and trade between Member States. On this basis, the Commission approved the Polish scheme under EU State aid rules.
The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the case number SA.118796 in the State aid register on the Commissions Competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved.
(For more information: Lea Zuber – Tel.: +32 2 295 62 98; Luuk de Klein – Tel.: +32 229 94774)
Commission clears acquisition of Itabapoana by Neoenergia and Warrington
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control of Neoenergia Itabapoana Transmissão de Energia, S.A. (‘Itabapoana) of Brazil by Neoenergia, S.A. of Brazil and Warrington Investment Pte. Ltd. (‘Warrington) of Singapore.
The transaction relates primarily to the transmission of electricity in Brazil.
The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given the limited impact on the European Economic Area. The notified transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.
More information is available on the Commissions competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.12079.
(For more information: Lea Zuber – Tel.: +32 2 295 62 98; Luuk de Klein – Tel.: +32 229 94774)
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