Les dix commandements de Bruxelles pour les vacanciers[en] 

EU Transport Commissioner Antonio Tajani presented the document yesterday (30 July), entitled 'The EU top 10 for passengers', which Brussels-based journalists immediately dubbed 'the ten commandments for going on holiday'. 

Most of the suggestions have already featured in a range of previous EU initiatives, and their presentation in the package is apparently aimed at demonstrating that the Commission is working to make the life of Europeans easier and safer. 

The first recommendation concerns the emergency number 112, introduced throughout the EU and accessed via fixed or mobile phones, the use of which is entirely free of charge (EurActiv 11/02/09). Recent surveys show, however, that many Europeans are still unaware of this novelty. 

Next, the Commission reminds citizens that drink driving is a major cause of road accidents in Europe, and refers to a previously issued recommendation of a maximum blood alcohol level of 0.5 mg/ml for all drivers, with a lower level of 0.2 mg/ml for novice drivers and professional drivers. The EU executive also stresses that in some countries, such as Sweden, there is zero tolerance on alcohol consumption by drivers. 

Europeans are also reminded, before buying an airline ticket, to check whether the company appears in the EU blacklist . A recent crash near the Comoros Islands involving an Airbus from the airline Yemenia revealed that the company had frequently exchanged its aircraft at stopovers outside Europe, substituting planes for worn-out aircraft for the final leg of the journey. Despite such practices, Yemenia did not appear in the EU list. 

Passengers are also reminded that security measures have been introduced in airports and that they cannot take with them liquids in containers with a capacity of more than 100 millilitres. Huge piles of confiscated liquids at airports, mostly soft drinks and liquor, demonstrate that many passengers are unaware of this measure or tend to forget about it. 

Airline travellers are also advised to claim compensation should they be denied boarding, or should their plane be cancelled. They are also offered advice on how to complain when they are not satisfied. If a passenger is denied boarding because he or she is suspected of carrying influenza A (H1N1), the traveller is entitled to compensation, the Commission says, providing further information . 

Passengers are also reminded that airline companies are not allowed to conceal the final comprehensive price on their websites (EurActiv 15/11/09). 

As for lost baggage, air passengers are reminded of their right to complain, and of the right to claim up to €1,100 from the airline should their luggage get lost or damaged. 

Lastly, consumers are warned that when buying a travel package, they are entitled to know what they are paying for and what is included in the package deal. Many travellers have recently complained of having purchased deals online offering non-existent vacations.