NORTH-EAST Euro MP Stephen Hughes has welcomed new European laws that will see passengers receive cash for cancelled or delayed flights.

The air passenger right laws are due to be approved by the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Thursday.

They will also apply to low fare airlines such as Ryanair and easyJet, and will help to prevent the practice of overbooking and cancelling flights for commercial reasons.

Mr Hughes said: "Airlines must take responsibility for the distress and inconvenience caused by flight delays. It is more than just about a missed flight. How can you compensate someone for the heartache caused by missing a funeral or a daughter's wedding?

"We're targeting those airlines who've dodged their responsibilities for years. The message for them is that basic consumer rights should apply whatever the price of your ticket.

"Some airlines shoot themselves in the foot by refusing to join the voluntary schemes.

"With these new laws, every airline will have to play by the same set of rules."

Compensation for short haul flights of less than 1,500km will be set at £173, with £277 for flights between 1,500km and 3,500km and £415 compensation for long haul flights of 3,500km or more.

Mr Hughes said that airlines would also be named and shamed, with new performance tables on lost luggage, delays and overbooking.