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Analysis May 2026: The European Parliament tackles airlines’ instrument policies

2026-04-24T08:54:00

Lufthansa plane cr Getty-sockagphoto

Members of the European Parliament are now debating the thorny issue of musicians taking their instruments on flights. Could there finally be light at the end of this tunnel?

Pressure is growing on politicians, airlines and airport authorities to establish consistent EU-wide rules that protect musicians’ rights when they fly with their instruments. The European Parliament and European Council are negotiating revisions to air passenger rights regulations, and the Parliament has proposed a range of amendments that specifically address the needs of musicians. However, the Parliament and the Council have disagreed over other aspects of passenger rights, including the threshold for compensation for delayed flights and the compensation amounts for flight disruptions…

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