Which? comments as the DfT's call for evidence on the effectiveness and efficiency of the CAA closes

Rocio Concha, Which Director of Policy and Advocacy, said: "For too long, travellers have suffered the consequences of an aviation regulator that lacks both the necessary powers and appetite to consistently enforce consumer rights. Which? has repeatedly highlighted wrongdoing by airlines in the past, but even with the limited powers available to it, the CAA has rarely taken meaningful action. As a result, travellers are frequently left out of pocket by airlines that know they can disregard the law and get away with it. "The Transport Secretary must take urgent steps to outline legislation which will provide consumers with a strong regulator that not only makes consumer issues a priority, with a mandate to actively monitor, investigate and report on misconduct, but which also has the power to issue fines when wrongdoing occurs. Unless decisive action is taken, some airlines will continue to be emboldened to fail passengers and ignore their legal rights." -ENDS-
Notes to editors

You can find Which?'s submission to the Department for Transport's call for evidence on the effectiveness and efficiency of the CAA .
Which? is currently campaigning to , and at the time of writing, over 43,000 people have signed the consumer champion's petition to the Secretary of State for Transport demanding urgent action. Please find a link to view the petition Over 1100 campaign supporters have also submitted evidence to the DfT's review of the CAA.
The consumer champion is calling for: Enforcement - The CAA should be doing more by holding airlines to account proactively. It also needs direct powers to monitor and fine airlines when they flout the rules. Resolution - We need a dispute resolution system that is mandatory for all airlines flying to and from the UK so travellers don't have to go to the small claims court to enforce their rights. Compensation - We need to protect passengers' rights to redress when airlines are at fault for delays and cancellations. Proposals to slash pay-outs for domestic flights must be dropped