A new procedure to request a refund of your airline tickets

A decree of 5 August 2025 amends the procedure for settling disputes involving air passengers. It applies in the case of a dispute with an airline relating to flight cancelation, long delay or denied boarding.

These measures come into force from 7 february 2026.

Mandatory prior mediation

This text takes place in a context of increasing numbers of air disputes, in order to promote simplified methods of resolution.

Prior mediation becomes mandatory before any legal action. Passengers must seek a consumer mediator. For this type of litigation, it is the Ombudsman Tourism and Travel. Failure to mediate may result in the inadmissibility of the application.

Mandatory assignment

Passengers must now apply by way of subpoena, they can no longer apply to the court by simple application. The summons may be made on behalf of a single passenger, or jointly, for example for members of the same family (a single summons in this case, applicable in the case of a family relationship including ascendants or collaterals up to 4^e degree, spouses, CIVIL PARTNERSHIP partners or cohabiting partners). This measure aims to limit mass assignments.