Which? responds to British Airways being fined almost £1 million by US government over Covid refunds

Rory Boland, Editor of Which? Travel, said: 

“At the height of the pandemic Which? found millions of people were left waiting for refunds they were legally entitled to as airlines routinely broke the law and let down passengers with appalling customer service.

“The US authorities are right to hit BA with a fine that might give it an incentive to up its game in future. Unfortunately this would never happen in the UK as the aviation regulator lacks teeth and governments have repeatedly failed to give it the powers it needs to hold airlines to account. 

“The government must listen to passengers and give the CAA powers to hold airlines to account when they flout the law – including the power to fine operators directly.”