EU Transport Council Shifts into High Gear on Road Safety, Freight and Passenger Rights

EU Transport Ministers gathered this week under the Polish Presidency for a pivotal Transport Council meeting, marking significant progress across several core policy areas. From road freight rules to air passenger protections, the Council took key steps toward a safer, cleaner, and more connected European transport system. The spotlight was on two files in particular: Weights and Dimensions for commercial vehicles and the long-awaited breakthrough on air passenger rights.

Moreover, Ministers held their first exchange of views on the Roadworthiness Package, a proposal to overhaul EU rules on vehicle inspections and registration. The aim is to improve road safety, reduce environmental impact, and streamline cross-border procedures through greater digitalisation and cooperation. The proposal was broadly welcomed, with Member States highlighting its timeliness and potential to enhance safety, consumer protection, and administrative efficiency.

Over lunch, Ministers engaged in an informal exchange on the climate policy challenges facing the transport sector, stressing the need to ensure environmental goals don’t come at the cost of competitiveness or exacerbate transport poverty. Under other business, the Council received updates on several legislative files, including the driving licence directive, driving disqualifications, the European Maritime Safety Agency regulation, river information services, the use of rail infrastructure capacity, and the discontinuation of seasonal clock changes.

Weights and Dimensions: Toward Cleaner and Smarter Freight

The Council made headway on the revision of the Weights and Dimensions Directive, aimed at enabling heavier but greener vehicles on EU roads. Italy called for restoring the original ambition of the file, pushing for an increase in the weight limit for new-energy trucks up to 12.5 tonnes, while showing openness to a 12.25-tonne compromise. Italy also proposed granting zero-emission trucks a full 4-tonne weight allowance and, in return, supported advancing the phase-out date for diesel trucks to 2035.

Germany endorsed the directive as a step toward cleaner logistics, stressing the importance of aligning weight limits with real vehicle mass and encouraging broader adoption of European modular systems for cross-border freight. France backed higher weight thresholds for zero-emission and intermodal transport, but rejected easing international restrictions on 44-tonne diesel trucks and mega-trucks. Looking ahead, Denmark—set to take over the Council Presidency in July—confirmed the file will remain a top priority, stating it is in everyone’s interest to reach an agreement.

Air Passenger Rights: A Deal After 12 Years

After more than a decade of deadlock, Ministers reached a political agreement on revised air passenger rights, modernising EU rules to reflect today’s travel realities. The new regulation introduces over 30 new or updated rights, covering the entire passenger journey—from booking and boarding to delays and reimbursement. During intense afternoon negotiations, the Polish Presidency proposed a compromise that removed the 3-hour delay threshold for same-day journeys, and introduced a requirement for airlines to provide passengers with a pre-filled compensation form, setting the stage for future automatic refunds.

The agreement was hailed as a historic step forward by the incoming Danish Presidency, which pledged to carry the file forward with full commitment during trilogues with the European Parliament and Commission. However, not all Member States supported the final compromise: Germany, Slovenia, Portugal, and Spain voiced concerns about added burdens for carriers and potential negative impacts on passengers. Germany in particular pushed for a simpler €300 flat-rate compensation. Italy, while initially backing a more conservative approach (a 5-hour threshold for compensation, 3 for reimbursement), ultimately supported the deal in a spirit of compromise.