Photo :webshot. 

April 26, 2022

Andrew Campbell 

According to UK House of Commons Transport Committee's 55-page report "UK Aviation: Reform For Take-Off," released on April 25, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in the United Kingdom should be given "more teeth" to fine airlines that fail to issue refunds. The Transport Committee also urges the British government to implement a new mechanism that would eliminate the need for customers to apply for refunds manually. Members of Parliament (MPs) have urged the government to require airlines to pay compensation for delays and cancellations automatically.

The Transportation Committee's request follows two years of travel industry chaos caused by the COVID-19 crisis, which included quarantine restrictions, self-isolation, testing, and the use of a locator as part of efforts to combat the coronavirus. All COVID-related restrictions on international travel have been lifted by the UK government. The Transport Committee has urged the CAA to be given more authority to penalize airlines that fail to fully reimburse customers when required by law.

However, the report expresses concern about proposed changes to domestic compensation laws, which could result in far less compensation for passengers. Exclusively revealed, a British government shake-up of aviation compensation laws that would deviate from EU regulations could cost flight customers £2 million per year in compensation for delays.