By Marina Schiza in Strasbourg
The European Parliament has adopted two decisions with direct impact on citizens, strengthening air passenger rights and boosting support for countries affected by wildfires, including Cyprus.
For Cyprus, the developments are particularly significant. As an island state heavily reliant on air travel, enhanced passenger protections affect thousands of people travelling to and from Europe daily.
The new rules strengthen safeguards for passengers in cases of long delays, cancellations and travel disruptions. They also introduce clearer procedures for compensation claims, making it easier for travellers to assert their rights without facing complex processes.
Special provisions are included for families, ensuring that children under the age of 14 can be seated next to their accompanying adult at no extra cost. The measures also improve price transparency for airline tickets.
Support for wildfire response and prevention
At the same time, the European Parliament sent a message of solidarity to countries hit by severe natural disasters, with Cyprus among those set to receive financial support following destructive wildfires.
Two major wildfires in July 2025 affected mainly the Limassol and Paphos regions, displacing thousands of residents, claiming two lives and destroying nearly 900 private properties, while also disrupting education and healthcare services.
The €9.21 million earmarked for Cyprus provides relief to affected areas and reflects growing recognition that Mediterranean countries are facing a new reality marked by more frequent heatwaves, prolonged droughts and increased wildfire risk.
MEPs stressed that the European Union must go beyond post-disaster recovery and invest more in prevention. Key priorities include strengthening civil protection, improving early warning systems, enhancing coordination between member states and ensuring faster deployment of EU assistance mechanisms.
Firefighters at the forefront
Particular emphasis was placed on supporting firefighters, who are on the front line of wildfire response. The EU’s updated wildfire strategy focuses on prevention, rapid reaction and reinforcing national firefighting services.
Under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, preparedness for the fire season has been significantly strengthened. Hundreds of firefighters from across Europe are being pre-positioned in high-risk areas to allow rapid intervention when major fires break out.
For 2026, a total of 777 firefighters from 14 European countries are expected to be deployed to frontline states, including Cyprus.
In addition, EU support includes aerial firefighting resources, helicopters, specialised experts and advanced monitoring tools such as satellite data and fire risk forecasting systems.
For Cyprus, these measures carry added importance given the country’s high exposure to heat, drought and challenging terrain. Plans to establish a regional firefighting hub on the island also mark a significant step, enhancing its role as a coordination point for tackling fires in the Eastern Mediterranean.
MEPs also underlined that protecting firefighters must remain a priority, as they operate under extreme conditions and face daily risks to their health. The debate is increasingly focusing not only on equipment and resources, but also on training, safety and working conditions for those tasked with protecting lives and property.
