Fifth Report - UK aviation: reform for take-off
Select Committee
Transport Committee
HC 683
25 April 2022
Government Response (AI assessment · 27 of 27 classified)
Accepted
4
Acknowledged
14
Deferred
4
Rejected
1
Recommendations
17 results
5
Acknowledged
Para 33
The Government must build international travel into its future pandemic resilience planning, developing a transparent...
Recommendation
The Government must build international travel into its future pandemic resilience planning, developing a transparent and predictable system that can be used to facilitate safe international travel during potential future health crises. The Government’s strategy for the recovery of the …
Read more
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the recommendation to build international travel into future pandemic resilience planning and states they will learn lessons from COVID-19 and build resilience to future pandemics and threats to public health. They say they will work closely with industry on resilience but don't commit to a specific plan beyond what is stated in "Flightpath to the Future".
Department for Transport
View Details
6
Acknowledged
Para 34
The Government must set up an international travel toolkit based on the following principles: •...
Recommendation
The Government must set up an international travel toolkit based on the following principles: • International travel restrictions must be evidenced by transparent advice and analysis that the Government makes publicly available. Such analysis must detail the rationale and evidence …
Read more
Government Response Summary
The government agrees that restrictions on international travel must be proportionate and comparable to the rest of the UK economy and will continue to work with industry on contingency planning, but makes no commitment to compensate the industry for economic losses.
Department for Transport
View Details
7
Acknowledged
The Government must convene a global taskforce to promote the standardisation of the remaining international...
Recommendation
The Government must convene a global taskforce to promote the standardisation of the remaining international travel requirements that were introduced in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The Government should pursue bilateral negotiations with countries with high rates of vaccination to …
Read more
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the recommendation but notes that border measures are a sovereign prerogative. However, they agree on supporting greater alignment on international travel requirements and will continue to have a leadership role in shaping the global framework, as well as continue to engage bilaterally with other states.
Department for Transport
View Details
10
Accepted in Part
Para 54
The Government must introduce an Airline Insolvency Bill in the next Session of Parliament to...
Recommendation
The Government must introduce an Airline Insolvency Bill in the next Session of Parliament to set out a framework to handle future airline insolvencies to protect the interests of consumers, employees and taxpayers.
Government Response Summary
The government partially accepts the recommendation, agreeing to consider the Airline Insolvency Review's recommendations and deliver on those deemed appropriate, while an Airline Insolvency Bill will be introduced as soon as practicable; additionally, the CAA published a consultation on ATOL reform.
Department for Transport
View Details
13
Deferred
Para 68
The Government must introduce a mechanism to ensure that when entitled to a refund by...
Recommendation
The Government must introduce a mechanism to ensure that when entitled to a refund by law, airline passengers are granted automatic compensation, eliminating the need for customers manually to apply for a refund.
Government Response Summary
The government has noted the recommendation and states that automatic compensation has been raised in some responses to the Aviation Consumer Policy Reform Consultation and will be considered as part of the analysis of responses. They understand there are a number of practical challenges to overcome to enable automatic refunds and compensation, and would require further work alongside industry to be able to consider this further.
Department for Transport
View Details
14
Acknowledged
Para 69
We welcome the Government’s decision to seek views on the length of delay that should...
Recommendation
We welcome the Government’s decision to seek views on the length of delay that should trigger compensation for domestic flights as part of its airline passenger rights consultation, as well as the requirement that all airlines that fly to and …
Read more
Government Response Summary
The government has noted the recommendation regarding compensation for domestic flights and states that automatic compensation will be considered as part of the analysis of responses to the Aviation Consumer Policy Reform Consultation, with a new Aviation Passenger Charter to be published.
Department for Transport
View Details
15
Rejected
It is disappointing that the Government’s ‘reforming aviation consumer policy: protecting air passenger rights’ consultation...
Recommendation
It is disappointing that the Government’s ‘reforming aviation consumer policy: protecting air passenger rights’ consultation does not seek views on the enforcement of consumer rights in relation to the private testing market for travel. The consultation should be expanded to …
Read more
Government Response Summary
The government does not agree that the consultation should be expanded to assess the private travel testing market, as the consultation was not specifically COVID-19 related. They state that the issues facing consumers have been dealt with separately through CMA reviews and DHSC and UKHSA actions.
Department for Transport
View Details
16
Deferred
Para 78
Implementing more flexible rules on the provision of Public Service Obligation routes can improve connectivity...
Recommendation
Implementing more flexible rules on the provision of Public Service Obligation routes can improve connectivity between the four nations of the UK. To improve domestic air connectivity, we agree with the Union Connectivity Review’s recommendation that the Government must revise …
Read more
Government Response Summary
The government has noted the recommendation and states that the Department for Transport will continue to consider opportunities to utilize Public Service Obligations (PSOs), alongside other policy measures. They plan to respond to the Union Connectivity Review's recommendations on PSOs later this year.
Department for Transport
View Details
17
Acknowledged
The Government’s changes to Air Passenger Duty are welcome.
Recommendation
The Government’s changes to Air Passenger Duty are welcome. However, that system will not be introduced until 1 April 2023. The Government should bring that date forward to 1 July 2022 to support domestic routes that might otherwise collapse because …
Read more
Government Response Summary
The government has noted the recommendation but will not bring forward the date of the Air Passenger Duty changes, citing the need to provide airlines with sufficient notice and acknowledge booking cycles.
Department for Transport
View Details
19
Acknowledged
Para 94
Despite the importance of airspace modernisation, and the relative speed with which it could be...
Recommendation
Despite the importance of airspace modernisation, and the relative speed with which it could be introduced compared with other decarbonisation measures, the Airspace Change Organising Group is not a member of the Jet Zero Council. The Committee recommends that the …
Read more
Government Response Summary
The Government acknowledges the importance of systems efficiencies, including airspace modernisation, to achieving decarbonisation.
Department for Transport
View Details
20
Accepted
Para 105
The Government must take steps to limit greenhouse gas emissions as air transport movements increase.
Recommendation
The Government must take steps to limit greenhouse gas emissions as air transport movements increase. The Government should continue to invest in new aviation decarbonisation technologies, including synthetic aviation fuels, to ensure that the UK aviation sector emits less than …
Read more
Government Response Summary
The government agrees and outlines investments including £685m for the Aerospace Technology Institute and over £200m for the advanced fuels industry and SAF plants.
Department for Transport
View Details
21
Acknowledged
Para 106
If the Government is to achieve its targets on net-zero aviation, new sustainability policies will...
Recommendation
If the Government is to achieve its targets on net-zero aviation, new sustainability policies will be required for the aviation sector, which in turn will require robust regulation. The Government must review how the Civil Aviation Authority’s powers can be …
Read more
Government Response Summary
The Government has noted this recommendation, and states that as they continue to develop and implement policies to achieve net zero aviation, they will consider if the CAA have the appropriate powers. They state that the DfT continues to work closely with the CAA in the development of our Jet Zero Strategy.
Department for Transport
View Details
22
Accepted
The Government must introduce a market mechanism to support investment in sustainable aviation technologies.
Recommendation
The Government must introduce a market mechanism to support investment in sustainable aviation technologies. The Committee has been investigating market mechanisms that the Government might introduce to scale up alternative fuels in our ongoing inquiry, Fuelling the future: motive power …
Read more
Government Response Summary
The Government acknowledges the aviation industry's role in achieving net zero targets, referencing existing funding and programmes like the Aerospace Technology Institute programme and the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO).
Department for Transport
View Details
23
Acknowledged
The Government must not reimpose the 80:20 rule until the effects of the Russian invasion...
Recommendation
The Government must not reimpose the 80:20 rule until the effects of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on the UK aviation market are apparent. That will protect against a potential increase in the number of ghost flights operated by legacy …
Read more
Government Response Summary
The government has noted the recommendation regarding the 80:20 rule and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, highlighting the regulations for slots alleviation and the monitoring of the invasion's impact, but not making a commitment to avoid reimposition of the rule.
Department for Transport
View Details
24
Deferred
The Government must include a review of the slot allocation system in its strategy for...
Recommendation
The Government must include a review of the slot allocation system in its strategy for the recovery of the UK aviation sector. The strategy must: a) consider alternatives to the existing slots framework to encourage new entrants, capitalising on the …
Read more
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the recommendations and is considering reforms to the slot allocation system in the UK to encourage competition and provide connectivity, with a consultation on options for reform expected later this year.
Department for Transport
View Details
26
Deferred
The UK aviation sector’s recovery from the pandemic is still in its early stages.
Recommendation
The UK aviation sector’s recovery from the pandemic is still in its early stages. The Civil Aviation Authority’s price control proposals, due to be implemented in summer 2022, must be postponed by one year to allow the collection of further …
Read more
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the recommendation but notes the CAA is independent. The CAA has extended its timetable for implementing the new licence to ensure it has sufficient time to conduct robust analysis and consultations and expects to publish further information in its final proposals in June 2022.
Department for Transport
View Details
27
Accepted in Part
To help airports and airlines manage the sudden increase in demand for aviation, the Government...
Recommendation
To help airports and airlines manage the sudden increase in demand for aviation, the Government should: • prioritise the timely processing of checks for applicants for positions at airports; • allow applicants for airport positions to start supervised classroom training, …
Read more
Government Response Summary
The government partially accepts the recommendations. UKSV has prioritized applications for national security vetting from the aviation sector, and a Statutory Instrument was introduced on 29 April 2022 to amend retained law on background checks and temporarily allow some training courses to proceed before referencing checks from previous employers have been completed.
Department for Transport
View Details
Conclusions (10) Observations and findings — click to expand
1
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 29
The way in which the Government introduced international travel restrictions during the pandemic was inconsistent, confusing industry and passengers. The aviation industry, which connects the UK to the world, experienced severe economic difficulties due to Government restrictions that were not based on scientific consensus. As international travel restarted in the …
Government Response Summary
The Government published Flightpath to the Future on May 26, a strategic framework for the future of aviation, focusing on sector recovery, innovation, and efficiency, including a ten-point plan and the launch of an Aviation Council.
2
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 30
The reimposition of travel restrictions had little effect on the spread of the Omicron variant in the UK. The Government appeared to recognise that outcome and belatedly reversed most of those restrictions in early January 2022. Overly strict international travel restrictions can have unintended consequences, such as encouraging countries not …
Government Response Summary
The Government agrees with the conclusion that the reimposition of travel restrictions had little effect on the spread of the Omicron variant in the UK.
3
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 31
We welcome the Government’s decision to remove all international travel requirements. We also welcome the Government’s statement that future international travel contingency measures will only be implemented in extreme circumstances. That decision gives the UK a competitive advantage over countries that were slower to remove such restrictions, providing an incentive …
Government Response Summary
The Government agrees with the conclusion and states that the COVID-19 pandemic was unprecedented, and governments worldwide have had to balance competing objectives. They adapted their approach over time, learning lessons and taking a more targeted and time limited approach where possible, whilst focussing on protecting public health.
4
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 32
As the aviation industry’s economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic is now well under way, the Government’s aviation recovery plan must be published as a priority. That strategy should be published no later than 1 June 2022, when the summer travel season will begin in earnest.
Government Response Summary
The Government published Flightpath to the Future on May 26, a strategic framework for the future of aviation, focusing on sector recovery, innovation, and efficiency, including a ten-point plan and the launch of an Aviation Council.
8
Conclusion
Accepted in Part
Para 43
Under-regulation has resulted in a dysfunctional travel testing market. The travel testing market was established with no clear protections or means of recourse for consumers. To date, the onus has been on consumers to perform market research, which has required them to navigate often misleading claims by companies. Unclear pricing, …
Government Response Summary
The government partially agrees, stating DHSC and UKHSA have worked with the CMA to improve the travel testing market, including removing providers and monitoring issues, but does not agree that the CMA needs to review the operation of the market for antigen travel tests.
9
Conclusion
Accepted in Part
Para 44
Although the UK has, at the time of writing (April 2022), removed all testing requirements for international travel, many other countries have retained testing requirements. Therefore, some passengers will need to access safe and affordable coronavirus testing options in the near-to-medium term. Government intervention is required to establish a functional …
Government Response Summary
The government partially agrees, stating DHSC and UKHSA have worked with the CMA to improve the travel testing market, including removing providers and monitoring issues, but does not agree that the CMA needs to review the operation of the market for antigen travel tests.
11
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 66
In April 2021, the Global Travel Taskforce recommended that the Government consult on additional, flexible and modern tools to enforce consumer rights before 48 UK aviation: reform for take-off the end of 2021. Although long overdue, the Government is now consulting on the merits of granting the Civil Aviation Authority …
Government Response Summary
The government has noted the conclusion and is considering the CAA having additional powers, as part of the Aviation Consumer Policy Reform Consultation. They state that aviation consumer laws are in place to protect consumers’ rights and that airlines are under a legal obligation to pay refunds within 7 days, provide compensation, where appropriate, and to provide clear information to passengers in the event of cancellation, long delays or if a passenger is denied boarding.
12
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 67
In the absence of additional powers, the Civil Aviation Authority must utilise its existing powers to challenge businesses and to pursue enforcement orders from the courts to tackle infringements of consumer rights in relation to refunds. Although that process may be lengthy and costly for the regulator, it is the …
Government Response Summary
The government has noted the conclusion. They state that the CAA is able to enforce aviation consumer law where infringements harm the collective interests of consumers and that they are currently exploring options to go further in this area through the Aviation Consumer Policy Reform Consultation.
18
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 93
The delivery of the airspace modernisation strategy cannot be subject to further delay. Urgent attention is required if the strategy’s target deadlines are to be met. The need to deliver the strategy’s initiatives is particularly acute in the context of the Government’s decarbonisation targets and the expectation that passenger numbers …
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the importance of airspace modernization for aviation decarbonization and highlights the roles of the Department for Transport, the Jet Zero Council, and the Airspace Change Organising Group in addressing this issue.
25
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 130
The Civil Aviation Authority must factor in the premise that Heathrow is one of the most expensive global airports when making its decision on the price control. Ensuring that the airport’s charging is set at a fair range can create a competitive edge for Heathrow, making it more attractive for …
Government Response Summary
The government has noted the recommendation. They state that the CAA is independent of government in its role as economic regulator of Heathrow, through powers granted by the 2012 Civil Aviation Act. The CAA sets a cap on Heathrow’s airport charges per passenger, which are recovered from airlines and ultimately passengers.