A new procedure to request a refund of your airline tickets

The 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 a flight cancelation, a significant delay or denied boarding.

This text comes at a time when air disputes are on the increase, in order to promote simplified methods of resolution.

The measures of this decree will enter into force 6 months after its publication, from February 7, 2026.

Mandatory prior mediation

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, partners of CIVIL PARTNERSHIPS or cohabitants). This measure is intended to limit mass assignments.