Press statement

Which? calls for lessons to be learnt from Easter travel shambles

1 min read

Rory Boland, Editor of Which? Travel, said: 

"Lessons should be learnt from the travel shambles this Easter. With many in the industry predicting a busy summer, the government must work with airlines and airports to ensure they have the resources and capacity to handle increased passenger numbers, as there can be no excuse for a repeat of these failings.

"Airlines wouldn't be ignoring the law and their passengers' rights if the aviation regulator had some teeth. The Department for Transport can support consumers by equipping the Civil Aviation Authority with direct fining powers. It should also drop its plans to change compensation rules for UK flights which are an important deterrent against passengers being treated unfairly."

ENDS

Notes to editors: 

  • If your flight is cancelled less than seven days before departure, you could be entitled to compensation. Airlines should also offer affected passengers a refund or reroute them as quickly as possible using other carriers if necessary, and provide refreshments and accommodation as required while they await their new flight. Which? consumer advice guide:
  • Under Department for Transport proposals on passenger compensation, the penalty paid by airlines for severe delays or cancellations on UK flights would be reduced by tens of thousands of pounds per flight: