Which? on government response to Transport Commitee report

Jo Rhodes, Which? Travel Expert, said: "The terrible travel disruption people have endured since Easter shows why passenger rights must be strengthened urgently, so it is disappointing that the government hasn't provided an update on its proposals to give the Civil Aviation Authority powers to fine airlines directly when they flout the law. "The government should also drop its proposals to drastically cut the compensation passengers are owed when domestic flights are delayed or cancelled. Which? found the reforms could slash average payouts by £163 per passenger and remove an important deterrent against airlines cancelling or overbooking flights." ENDSNotes to editors

In its UK aviation: reform for take-off report in April, the Transport Committee expressed concern about the proposed shake-up of compensation rules for UK domestic flights, saying: "The Committee is concerned that the effect of the Government's proposed compensation scheme, which is out for consultation, could result in much reduced compensation for passengers, albeit it that a greater number of passengers may benefit from such a scheme. Although moving to a compensation scheme that is similar to the Delay Repay rail scheme might be desirable for consistency, in many cases flight delays are far more costly to the passenger than a delayed rail journey. Delayed air passengers can face missing holidays or increased travel and accommodation costs. The Government must take those factors into account in designing a new scheme."
Which? also supports the Transport Committee's recommendation for greater powers to be given to the CAA.
- we're asking that the Department for Transport safeguards and improves passenger rights, giving the air travel regulator greater powers to take action against airlines breaking the rules.