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Airlines suggest €50 charge for claims mediation

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Airlines suggest €50 charge for claims mediation
Not everyone has €50 to make a complaint about travel problems. Photo: DPA

German airlines have suggested that passengers seeking refunds or compensation for travel problems should pay €50 to have their case heard by a mediator in order to reduce the number of unjustified claims.

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The Justice Ministry is discussing new regulations for the mediation of arguments in the air transport industry, and has invited suggestions from all sides.

The Saarbrücker Zeitung reported on Saturday that the Federal Association of Airlines (BDF) has suggested establishing a mediator to decide on complaints – with a €50 fee.

Such a fee would block “a flood of unjustified claims,” the BDF said.

This suggestion illustrates “how much the airlines fear mediation,” said Markus Tressel, expert on the matter for the Green Party.

He said the government should finally do something for passengers rather than always bowing to the airlines.

Justice Minister Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberg announced recently she wanted to force the airlines to take part in mediation procedures when passengers had complaints – as attempts to get the airlines to do so voluntarily have so far failed.

DAPD/hc

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