BRUSSELS, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- The European Union (EU) ombudsman, P. Nikiforos Diamandouros, has opened an investigation into whether the European Commission is fulfilling its responsibility to ensure that EU rules on air passenger rights are properly applied in the member states, the ombudsman said Tuesday.
The probe follows a complaint from a German traveler, whose Air France flight was cancelled. The traveler claimed that he received no assistance or compensation from Air France and that the responsible French supervisory body also failed to help him.
The traveler turned to the commission but was not satisfied with its response.
In his complaint to the ombudsman, the German citizen alleged that the commission is failing to ensure that EU member states are properly applying the rules on compensation and assistance to passengers, in the event of denied boarding and of cancellation or long delay of flights.
The ombudsman, who investigates complaints about maladministration in the EU institutions and bodies, has asked the commission to provide its opinion by Feb. 28, 2009.
