Air passengers have been issued an update on major changes surrounding flight cancellations and delays. The Department of Transport has given a statement on Tuesday afternoon affecting all UK airlines.
It says the changes, if successful, will give travellers increased protections when their travel is disrupted along with better support when things do not go according to plan. Under the Civil Aviation Bill, now going through second reading and announced in the King’s Speech in May, it will mean faster travel, improved safety standards and new enforcement powers, including to fine the minority of airlines and airports that fail to deliver for passengers.
The changes include ensuring airlines and airports must properly compensate cancelled flights, assist disabled people to travel freely and support flyers through disruption – including with food and accommodation – or face stronger enforcement from the CAA. While UK aviation has a world-leading reputation, these transformative new laws go further by supporting the redesign of airspace rules to slash delays and make flights faster for passengers by reducing planes queuing to land.
READ MORE: {{title}}
Aviation Minister, Keir Mather, said: "Our new laws will modernise UK aviation, supporting the redesign of our airspace for faster, more efficient flights, while enhancing aviation safety standards and delivering greater passenger protections. We’re proud of the strong, reliable experience our sector delivers day-in day-out for passengers and we are clear that no one should be let down when they travel.
"That’s why we are giving the CAA new enforcement powers, including the ability to issue fines on the rare occasion airlines and airports don’t meet passenger rights obligations."
Under the new powers, the CAA will be allowed to take swifter, stronger action when they identify airlines or airports that are not meeting their obligations. This includes failing to provide correct information regarding flight disruptions, or to provide an accessible service for disabled passengers.
The recently established UK Airspace Design Service (UK ADS) will be backed by new powers for government to deliver redesigned flight paths alongside industry. These new routes will slash delays for hard-working holidaymakers by creating faster, more efficient routes into airports.
The Transport Secretary will also have new powers to reform rules around aircraft take-off and landing slots, paving the way for a wider review of the current system later this year. The Department of Transport said: "As UK airspace approaches 70 years since its original design, these changes are critical to accommodate growing passenger numbers and reduce avoidable delays.
"Without this reform, passengers could face delays increasing by 200% by 2040, which is why UK ADS has already begun redrawing London routes, with changes planned for the mid-2030s. This will mean quicker, more straightforward approaches into airports including Heathrow and Gatwick, driving down average noise emissions per flight and improving air quality for local communities."
Under the changes the CAA will also be given new powers to make faster, more efficient aviation safety rules, furthering the UK’s world-leading safety reputation. The powers will remove unnecessary red tape, making it easier for industry to react to international developments and emerging risks.
Sir Stephen Hillier, Chair of the UK CAA, said: "We welcome the government’s proposals set out in the Civil Aviation Bill to give the UK Civil Aviation Authority more flexible regulatory powers. The ability to make technical safety rules would mean we can more quickly keep the UK aligned with international standards, improve the proportionality of those rules that already exist and better enable the growth of emerging sectors. In turn, this would support safety, growth and innovation in the sector.
"A wider set of consumer rights enforcement powers would also mean we are better able to give consumers confidence in the sector if their rights are systematically not met. Alongside the new powers to act, we welcome the new mechanisms to allow Parliament and government to hold us to account for their use. We are already enhancing our processes and governance mechanisms to make sure we can use any new powers as effectively as possible. Deeper sector engagement will be an essential part of this new framework."
Karen Dee, Chief Executive of AirportsUK, said: "Aviation is a UK success story and we look forward to working with the government on this bill, particularly the provisions that will deliver faster, more resilient airspace, enabling this success to continue. This will allow planes to fly better, more fuel-efficient routes and reduce the environmental impacts on local communities that live in and around airports."
Tim Alderslade, Chief Executive of Airlines UK, added: "Air traveller satisfaction is at record highs, proof that airline competition and the UK’s dynamic aviation market work. We welcome legislation that helps regulators keep pace with our growing sector — particularly on driving vital airspace modernisation and safety.
"But new rules must strike the right balance and deliver real consumer benefits; unnecessary burdens help no one. We look forward to shaping this legislation with government as it progresses through Parliament."