Recommendations & Conclusions
27 items
1
Conclusion
Fifth Report - UK aviation: reform for …
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. The Government has noted this recommendation and on 26 May published Flightpath to the Future – a strategic framework for the future of aviation. The publication focuses on the importance of sector recovery, whilst also recognising the importance of looking …
Department for Transport
2
Conclusion
Fifth Report - UK aviation: reform for …
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. The Government agrees with this recommendation. The COVID-19 pandemic was unprecedented, and governments worldwide have had to balance competing objectives. We adapted our approach over time, learning lessons and taking a more targeted and time limited approach where possible, whilst …
Department for Transport
3
Conclusion
Fifth Report - UK aviation: reform for …
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. The Government agrees with this recommendation. The COVID-19 pandemic was unprecedented, and governments worldwide have had to balance competing objectives. We adapted our approach over time, learning lessons and taking a more targeted and time limited approach where possible, whilst …
Department for Transport
4
Conclusion
Fifth Report - UK aviation: reform for …
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. The Government has noted this recommendation and on 26 May published Flightpath to the Future – a strategic framework for the future of aviation. The publication focuses on the importance of sector recovery, whilst also recognising the importance of looking …
Department for Transport
5
Recommendation
Fifth Report - UK aviation: reform for …
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 aviation sector must include a commitment to developing such a …
Government response. The Government agrees with this recommendation. The COVID-19 pandemic was unprecedented, and governments worldwide have had to balance competing objectives. We adapted our approach over time, learning lessons and taking a more targeted and time limited approach where possible, whilst …
Department for Transport
6
Recommendation
Fifth Report - UK aviation: reform for …
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 as to why such restrictions are deemed effective, UK aviation: …
Government response. The Government has noted these recommendations and agrees that restrictions on international travel must be proportionate, and where appropriate comparable to those in place across the rest of the UK economy. As set out in the Living with COVID-19 strategy, …
Department for Transport
7
Recommendation
Fifth Report - UK aviation: reform for …
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 facilitate the removal of such restrictions. (Paragraph 35) Consumer rights
Government response. The Government has noted this recommendation. However, it should be noted that national border measures are a sovereign prerogative. Nevertheless, the Government agrees on the importance of supporting greater alignment on international travel requirements that were introduced in response to …
Department for Transport
8
Conclusion
Fifth Report - UK aviation: reform for …
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. The Government partially agrees with these recommendations. The Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) and UKHSA have worked closely with the Competition Markets Authority (CMA) since they published their report in September 2021. Actions have been taken to improve …
Department for Transport
9
Conclusion
Fifth Report - UK aviation: reform for …
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. The Government partially agrees with these recommendations. The Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) and UKHSA have worked closely with the Competition Markets Authority (CMA) since they published their report in September 2021. Actions have been taken to improve …
Department for Transport
10
Recommendation
Fifth Report - UK aviation: reform for …
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. The government partially accepts this recommendation. We agree that we should consider the recommendations of the Airline Insolvency Review and deliver on those we deem appropriate to ensure that passengers are adequately protected and able to get home if their …
Department for Transport
11
Conclusion
Fifth Report - UK aviation: reform for …
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. The Government has noted this recommendation. Air passenger rights remains a key priority for Government, and we are working hard to deliver for passengers, to ensure they are protected when things go wrong That is why we launched the Aviation …
Department for Transport
12
Conclusion
Fifth Report - UK aviation: reform for …
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. The Government has noted this recommendation. The CAA is able to enforce aviation consumer law where infringements harm the collective interests of consumers. Currently, they have a range of enforcement actions available, and in line with best practice, the CAA …
Department for Transport
13
Recommendation
Fifth Report - UK aviation: reform for …
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. The Government has noted this recommendation. 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. We understand there are a number of practical …
Department for Transport
14
Recommendation
Fifth Report - UK aviation: reform for …
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 from the UK participate in the alternative dispute resolution scheme. …
Government response. The Government has noted this recommendation. 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. We understand there are a number of practical …
Department for Transport
15
Conclusion
Fifth Report - UK aviation: reform for …
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 assess how the private travel testing market could be regulated …
Government response. The Government has noted this recommendation. However, the Government does not agree that the consultation should be expanded to assess how the private travel testing market could be regulated to make it function effectively for consumers. The Aviation Consumer Policy …
Department for Transport
16
Recommendation
Fifth Report - UK aviation: reform for …
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 subsidy rules to allow: a) multiple airlines to operate individual …
Government response. The Government has noted this recommendation. The Department for Transport will continue to consider whether there are further opportunities to utilise Public Service Obligations (PSOs), alongside other policy measures, towards meeting our ongoing regional connectivity, union connectivity and levelling-up objectives. …
Department for Transport
17
Recommendation
Fifth Report - UK aviation: reform for …
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 of the coronavirus pandemic. (Paragraph 83) Sustainable aviation
Government response. The Government has noted this recommendation. Our reforms to Air Passenger Duty (APD) constitute a package that reflects our regional connectivity and environmental objectives, while ensuring the sector continues to make a fair contribution to the public finances. They are …
Department for Transport
18
Conclusion
Fifth Report - UK aviation: reform for …
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. The Government has noted this recommendation. The Department for Transport recognise the importance of systems efficiencies, including airspace modernisation, to achieving aviation decarbonisation, as set out in our Jet Zero Consultation. The five measures we consulted on were Systems Efficiencies, …
Department for Transport
19
Conclusion
Fifth Report - UK aviation: reform for …
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 Airspace Change Organising Group should be elevated to full membership …
Government response. The Government has noted this recommendation. The Department for Transport recognise the importance of systems efficiencies, including airspace modernisation, to achieving
Department for Transport
20
Recommendation
Fifth Report - UK aviation: reform for …
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 it did before the pandemic.
Government response. The Government agrees with this recommendation. The Department for Transport recognises that the aviation industry has an important role to play to achieve our net zero targets. In March 2022, the Government announced a record £685m in funding to the …
Department for Transport
21
Recommendation
Fifth Report - UK aviation: reform for …
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 reformed to enable the regulator to enforce environmental mandates that …
Government response. The Government has noted this recommendation. The Department for Transport continues to work closely with the CAA in the development of our Jet Zero Strategy, and worked closely with the CAA on the development of their Environmental Sustainability Strategy which …
Department for Transport
22
Recommendation
Fifth Report - UK aviation: reform for …
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 and connectivity. We will report on our findings at the …
Government response. The Government has noted this recommendation. The Department for Transport recognises that the aviation industry has an important role to play to achieve our net zero targets. In March 2022, the Government announced a record £685m in funding to the …
Department for Transport
23
Recommendation
Fifth Report - UK aviation: reform for …
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 carriers seeking to protect their slots. (Paragraph 118) 50 UK …
Government response. The Government has noted this recommendation and welcomes the Committee’s report. Regulations for slots alleviation for the summer season came into force on 22 March 2022 and will expire on 29 October 2022. In addition, the Government introduced a one …
Department for Transport
24
Recommendation
Fifth Report - UK aviation: reform for …
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 opportunity to shape the system following the country’s departure from …
Government response. The Government has noted these recommendations. Now that the UK has left the EU, the UK Government is responsible for the policy framework for slot allocation and is keen to make the most of this opportunity to implement reforms to …
Department for Transport
25
Conclusion
Fifth Report - UK aviation: reform for …
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. The government has noted this recommendation. The CAA is independent of government in its role as economic regulator of Heathrow, through powers granted by the 2012 Civil Aviation Act. As part of that role, the CAA sets a cap on …
Department for Transport
26
Conclusion
Fifth Report - UK aviation: reform for …
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 data on the aviation sector recovery. (Paragraph 131) Airport disruption …
Government response. The government has noted this recommendation. The CAA is independent of government in its role as economic regulator of Heathrow, through powers granted by the 2012 Civil Aviation Act. As part of that role, the CAA sets a cap on …
Department for Transport
27
Recommendation
Fifth Report - UK aviation: reform for …
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, when their initial security checks are complete; • review whether …
Government response. The Government partially accepts these recommendations. On the timely processing of checks, UKSV (UK Security Vetting) has prioritised applications for national security vetting from the aviation sector. The delays that have been raised by industry are in relation to reference …
Department for Transport