September 4, 2009 by admin
The Decalogue EU passenger ...
09/04/2009
On July 30, 2009 was presented by the European Commission Vice President Antonio Tajani, the "Decalogue EU passengers. The document sums up ten points, advice and important tips and useful for those who travel during their holidays.
1. WHOM CALL IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
The 112 is the phone number you can call to contact emergency services across the EU, from fixed or mobile phones for free. It is available in all 27 States.
Some Member States have introduced the main emergency number 112, while in most cases is available in addition to national emergency numbers. Each Member State is responsible for the organization of its emergency services and response to 112 calls is that the national emergency numbers. The Commission will continue to monitor the operation of 112 Member States to ensure its effectiveness.
For more information, visit the website:
http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/activities/112/index_en.htm
2. AVOID ROAD ACCIDENTS
In Europe each year 10,000 people die in road accidents due to the effect of drugs and alcohol. An accident in four can be linked to excessive use of alcohol - a percentage that increases during the holidays. In June 2001 the Commission adopted a recommendation on the level of blood alcohol allowed at the wheel:
0.5 mg / ml for all drivers
0.2 mg / ml for new drivers and professional drivers
The recommendation is not legally binding and therefore the level may vary from one Member State to another (eg Sweden has adopted a zero-tolerance approach). Of course, the safest behavior is to never drink when driving.
On our roads are mostly young people to be at risk. To encourage young people to stay away from alcohol and drugs, the Commission draws up measures of prevention and information campaigns and co run by young people for young people.
The Commission has also granted 19 million euros - 80% of the total cost - the Druid Project, which studies the effects of psychoactive substances on driving performance. For more information on the project, visit the website: http://www.druid-project.eu/
In spring 2010, the Commission will publish an action plan for road safety for periodo2011-2020.
For more information on road safety, visit the website:
http://ec.europa.eu/transport/road_safety/index_en.htm
3. FLY SAFELY
The list of airlines banned within the European Union provides a strong incentive to remedy the shortcomings in safety. The companies concerned can now be removed from the list if you introduce corrective satisfactory to comply with all security standards. The idea of a Community list is proving increasingly useful as a preventive rather than punitive tool to protect aviation safety. The show numerous instances where the Community has coped successfully with potential threats well before having to resort to more drastic measures to impose restrictions. The list has made a major contribution to making Europe's skies safer and could be used to gradually switch to a strategy based on cooperation among different countries worldwide.
The airlines on the list are not authorized to perform flights to and from the EU. The Union, however, can not prevent them from continuing to fly in other parts of the world. If you intend to take a flight that takes off or lands outside the EU, you can personally control the EU black list to see if the company that interests you is subject to the ban on flights in the EU for safety reasons.
For a list of banned airlines, travel site: http://air-ban.europa.eu/ .
4. Airport security
Air passengers can carry with him only liquids in individual containers with a maximum capacity of 100 milliliters each. The maximum quantity of liquid is equal to 1 liters per passenger. The containers must also be contained in a transparent resealable plastic bag.
These restrictions necessary because unfortunately the threat posed by liquid explosives continues to exist. Until it is put in place at airports and introduced a technology to detect such explosives, passengers will be allowed to carry liquids in small quantities or if you really need during the trip, as medicines and baby food. All other liquids must be sent in checked baggage.
A brochure that summarizes the most important aspects of these standards can be downloaded from http://ec.europa.eu/transport/air/doc/security_2006_aviation_security_new_rules_poster.pdf 
.
Additional information may also be obtained from the airline or the transport operator.
5. WHAT TO DO IN CASE OF CANCELLATION OF FLIGHT OR DENIED BOARDING
Before going to the airport, check the time of departure (flight times may change). If your flight is canceled or if you are denied boarding, ask the reimbursement of the full cost of the ticket or boarding or unused segments, as soon as possible on another flight to their final destination. You may also be entitled to compensation of between 250 and 600 euros, depending on distance and delays caused by rerouted. The airline should also advise you of your rights and the reasons for cancellation or denied boarding. It should also provide assistance while waiting (meals, beverages, communication and a hotel room for the night, if necessary).
If passengers consider that airlines do not respond satisfactorily to their complaints, they can complain to the national competent EU Member State (or Iceland, Switzerland and Norway) where the accident occurred. If the accident involves an airline in the EU but has no place in an EU Member State, the passenger may file a complaint in the EU Member State of destination.
For a list of these organizations visit the website:
http://ec.europa.eu/transport/passengers/air/air_en.htm .
The right to compensation in case of trip cancellation and delay, subject to certain conditions, is also required by legislation to protect the rights of rail passengers will enter into force on 3 December 2009.
In December 2008 the Commission presented two proposals to protect the rights of passengers traveling by sea or inland waterway or by bus. When will apply these rules to recognize these passengers the right to compensation in case of trip cancellation.
For more information on passengers' rights - including the right to reimbursement - visit the website:
http://ec.europa.eu/transport/passengers/index_en.htm
6. Influenza A (H1N1) is DENIED BOARDING
If you are denied boarding because you are a suspected case of influenza A (H1N1) and the decision is not based either on the recommendation of the health authority or medical opinion, you should be entitled to reimbursement or re- another flight, and to receive compensation. In other words, the decision to deny boarding can not be a measure taken in a discretionary and unilateral by the airline.
For the latest information Influenza A (H1N1), visit the website:
http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_threats/com/Influenza/novelflu_en.htm
7. HANDICAPPED AND PASSENGERS WITH REDUCED MOBILITY
Prohibit discrimination against the disabled and reduced mobility on the basis of a permanent or temporary disability is guaranteed for air passengers, the Community rules applicable and, for rail passengers, the rules which come into force on 3 December 2009. In December 2008 the Commission presented proposals to protect the rights of persons with reduced mobility when traveling by sea or inland waterway or by bus.
You are requested to inform the airline or tour operator assistance required at least 48 hours before flight departure. The bodies of airport management are informed and in turn are responsible to the boarding gate, then the airline is responsible. The service is free.
For more information on the rights of passengers with reduced mobility, visit the website:
http://ec.europa.eu/transport/passengers/air/prm_en.htm
8. TRANSPARENCY ON THE WEB SITE PRICES
The Air Services Regulation imposes an obligation of full price transparency. This means that when consumers booking a flight online, the final price "full" should be stated in the home: so you want to allow a comparison between prices of different airlines and ensure a real choice. Any optional price supplements must be indicated clearly and honestly. All passengers have equal right to access to fares without discrimination based on nationality or place of residence or place of establishment of the carrier.
The Commission continues to monitor (with the assistance of competent bodies of the Member States) of the Web sites selling airline tickets across Europe to verify compliance with the rules on consumer protection, such control is essential to induce companies to improve their standards.
The Commission has also compiled a list of banned practices, as presented in a misleading way apparently offered free of charge.
For more information, please see Articles 22 and 23 of the Regulation on common rules for the provision of air services in the Community on the rights of consumers:
Other prohibitions are also listed on the site: http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/rights/
9. LUGGAGE LOST AND DAMAGED
If damaged, you should complain to the airline within seven days from the time when you delivered your luggage, while in case of delay within 21 days. Any other legal proceedings must be brought within two years from the date of arrival. In case of loss or damage of luggage you are entitled to a refund from the airline up to a maximum of 1100 euros. If you carry valuable items you should take out private travel insurance or you can benefit from a higher liability limit by the airline a special declaration at the latest at the time of registration and a fee. If problems with the airline, you should contact the association for the protection of consumers or your national European Consumer Centres Network (European Consumer Centres Network - ECC-Net).
This year the Commission launched an investigation to obtain data on lost luggage in air travel that has emerged between, in January 2008 and October 2008, the European Union luggage arrived late at the airport were 4.6 million. In 2008, globally, 32.8 million would have been lost luggage, a decrease of 20% compared to 2007 (42.4 million). Although the number of lost luggage has finally begun to decline (after five years of increase), the Commission still considers excessive and unacceptable. Keeps closely monitor developments and will take all necessary steps, even at the regulatory level, to improve the current situation.
For more information see the regulation on air carrier liability in case of accidents:
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:32002R0889:EN:HTML
10. TRAVEL ALL INCLUSIVE
When consumers buy a travel package, "are entitled to know what they are paying and what is included in the package under Council Directive 90/314/EEC of 13 June 1990 on package travel, package holidays and package tours package. Brochures made available to consumers should clearly and accurately price and all relevant information such as destination, route and means of transport used, type of accommodation, meals provided, the obligations on passport visas, health formalities, time and payment terms to inform consumers in case of cancellation.
For more information on the directive, visit the website:
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:31990L0314:EN:HTML
WHAT ARE YOUR RIGHTS AS PASSENGERS AND HOW TO SUBMIT A CLAIM
If you have questions about your rights and where to complain, please contact the following contact points:
EuropeDirect:
http://ec.europa.eu/europedirect/index_en.htm
Email emergency Vice Tajani: http://ec.europa.eu/europedirect/index_en.htm
The network of European Consumer Centres (ECC) that can help resolve any concerns or problems you encounter as a consumer in Europe. For more information about ECC, including access to the ECC in your country: http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/redress_cons/index_en
More information and a list of national bodies responsible for implementing these rights can be found at:
Source: http://ec.europa.eu/italia/attualita/primo_piano/transporti_energia/decalogo_viaggiatori_it.htm
