It was with no little satisfaction that I submitted to the Labour Party General Conference my annual report on my work, and that of my Brussels delegation, in the European Parliament during 2013. It is quite a hefty report, reflecting the large volume of work undertaken during what certainly was a very active year.

A whole year’s commitment includes far too many interventions and actions to mention, but suffice it to say I spoke about an array of issues such as the political situation in Malta prior to the March general election, ground handling, pensions, renewable energy, the vote for 16-year-olds, women’s rights, patients’ rights, youth unemployment, irregular immigration, the “Yes” educational programme and more.

Reports are not meant for shelving. They provide an opportunity for people to monitor our work inside the EP and to stay in touch with their elected representatives. They give them a better picture of what has been done and what still needs to be done. They are informed of initiatives taken, such as my direct involvement in the European Citizen Award (last won by Puttinu Cares), Freshers’ Week at the University and the Group of Socialists and Democrats within the EP.

That way, citizens can challenge us. They can question us. They rightly expect results. My report offers them exactly that chance.

Maltese travellers

There should hardly be any doubt that we have become a nation of travellers. The Maltese outward tourism sector has grown profusely during the past two decades, resulting in an ever-increasing number of travel agencies and tour operators providing jobs and opportunities to many. The travel business has become an important contributor to the national economy, hence the need to support it within the solid framework of established and new European Union initiatives and standards.

The Maltese as travellers, on holiday, for business or for studying, have come a long way since their only overseas forays in the past were restricted to infrequent trips to Italy and the UK, though both destinations inevitably remain highly popular. It is now expected, however, to find large groups of Maltese tourists visiting all corners of the earth, from the nearby, unexplored village areas of Sicily to the vast expanses of Australia, Asia and the US.

It is a reality we share with many other EU member states and the reason why it is important to keep abreast with all that is happening in the sector at a European level. My role within the Tourism and Transport Committee of the European Parliament, for example, has helped me become fully acquainted with the need to ensure that the travel sector, however important, is not seen as merely a commercial activity that has even greater economic potential, but one that has a people side to it as well.

Travellers of all kinds are consumers. They have rights that need to be recognised and respected. They need to know that, when they travel, they have the full protection of EU institutions and the reassurance of EU regulations. This is especially the case with air travellers who often have to face the same old problems of last-minute cancellations, outrageous postponements and unfair baggage restrictions.

Action and rights

During a recent plenary session of the European Parliament I expressed my satisfaction at the vote in favour of a report that emphasises the need to strengthen the rights of air passengers, describing it as “a victory for the citizens and consumers of the European Union”. I added that the vote should have “a positive impact on the everyday lives of our citizens”, amongst them, of course, Maltese and Gozitan travellers.

The report, I insisted, can be the tool to help us meet the challenges of 21st-century air travel, particularly in the field of passenger protection from the dominant roles of the major airline companies. Liberalisation of the air traffic sector has happily resulted in a huge increase in both flights and passengers, which is all the more reason for making sure that travellers’ rights are put into practice when it comes to such matters as efficiency, frequency, personal baggage, shopping at airports, punctuality and compensation.

In my speech to the EP, I said such developments required the setting up of a system that would treat complaints quickly and efficiently within the new entity that has been agreed upon for the appraisal of air passenger complaints.

As consumers, travellers need to be aware of their rights and the industry needs to show it respects those rights. Maltese and Gozitan citizens would do well to get to know them before they finalise their travel plans.

MEP Joseph Cuschieri is the Head of the Labour Delegation in the European Parliament

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