EU ombudsman probes European Commission over air passenger rights

BRUSSELS, Dec. 2 (Chinese media) -- The European Union (EU) ombudsman, P.

Nikiforos Diamandouros, has opened an investigation into whether the European

Commission is fulfilling its responsibility to ensure that EU rules on air

passenger rights are properly applied in the member states, the ombudsman said

Tuesday.

The probe follows a complaint from a German traveler, whose Air France

flight was cancelled. The traveler claimed that he received no assistance or

compensation from Air France and that the responsible French supervisory body

also failed to help him.

The traveler turned to the commission but was not satisfied with its

response.

In his complaint to the ombudsman, the German citizen alleged that the

commission is failing to ensure that EU member states are properly applying the

rules on compensation and assistance to passengers, in the event of denied

boarding and of cancellation or long delay of flights.

The ombudsman, who investigates complaints about maladministration in the

EU institutions and bodies, has asked the commission to provide its opinion by

Feb. 28, 2009.