25 January 2011
Michael Weir (Angus, Scottish National Party): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what assessment he has made of the level of compliance during the adverse weather conditions experienced in November and December 2010 by (a) airlines and (b) tour operators with their obligations under the Air Passengers Rights Directive (261/2004) and the Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Directive (90/314); and if he will make a statement;
(2) what discussions he has had with the Air Transport Users Council regarding the level of compliance by airlines and tour operators during the adverse weather conditions experience in November and December 2010 with obligations under the Air Passengers Rights Directive (261/2004) and the Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Directive (90/314) and if he will make a statement.
Theresa Villiers (Aviation Minister, Conservative): The Government expect air carriers and tour operators to honour their obligations to passengers under EU Regulation 261/2004 on denied boarding, cancellation and delay, and under the package travel directive 90/314, and to look after their passengers during times of adverse weather conditions.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has responsibility for enforcing regulation 261 in the UK. It reminded major airlines and airport operators of their responsibilities to their passengers during this period.
The CAA closely monitored the activities of airlines in this period and undertook remedial action where deficiencies were identified. The Air Transport Users Council (AUC) advises passengers on their entitlements under the regulation and is the UK’s complaints handler.
While the obligations of EC Regulation 261/2004 and of the package travel directive do not apply to airports, the Secretary of State has made clear that the Government and the regulator will be working with airlines and airport operators to see what might be done to address issues identified by the recent adverse weather conditions.
Sourced from Dehavilland