Fifth Report - UK aviation: reform for take-off

Select Committee
Transport Committee HC 683 25 April 2022
Report Status Government responded
Conclusions & Recommendations 27 items (17 recs)
Source View on Parliament website
Government Response (AI assessment · 27 of 27 classified)
Accepted 4
Accepted in Part 4
Acknowledged 14
Deferred 4
Rejected 1
Clear

Recommendations

8 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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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