Which? responds to the news that some Gatwick Airport passengers were hit by fresh air traffic control cancellations on Wednesday evening

Rory Boland, Which? Travel Editor, said: 

"It is extremely disappointing that some Gatwick passengers were hit by further air traffic control disruption yesterday evening after last week's travel chaos. 

"Passengers understand that this is not an issue caused by airlines, but are frustrated by the poor communication and lack of care they often receive from carriers. During travel crises we see repeat offending from airlines looking to wriggle out of their legal responsibilities knowing that they're unlikely to face any real consequences for leaving passengers high and dry during periods of disruption. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) should be monitoring the situation closely, and stand ready to take enforcement action against any airline found to be failing in its responsibilities to passengers. 

"The Prime Minister must play his part and prioritise legislation to deliver the government’s commitment for stronger enforcement powers to the CAA in the King’s Speech later this year, so that this ongoing cycle of poor behaviour from airlines can finally be broken."

-ENDS-

Notes to editors

Which? campaign to Transform Travel

– Which? is currently campaigning to Transform Travel, and last week wrote to the Prime Minister calling for legislation for direct fining powers for the CAA to be included in this year’s King’s Speech

At the time of writing, over 44,000 people have signed the consumer champion’s petition to the Secretary of State for Transport demanding urgent action. Please find a link to view it here.

More than 1,100 Which? Travel campaign supporters have also submitted evidence of their mistreatment by airlines to the independent 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, which would replace current protections under EU law EC261, must be dropped.