News / Government pledges to ‘protect’ summer holidays from last-minute cancellations
SUMMER holidays will be “better protected” under UK Government plans to stop last-minute flight cancellations this summer.
Major airlines will be able to consolidate passengers onto flights travelling to the same destination on the same day.
While the UK Government said that airlines were not currently facing fuel supply issues, it added that disruption caused by the conflict in the Middle East could affect flights this summer.
Temporary measures being introduced will also allow airlines to hand back some of their take-off and landing slots.
The slot alleviation would apply to flights run by airlines flying out of Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Manchester, Luton, London City, Birmingham, Bristol and Leeds-Bradford.
The UK Government said the moves would ensure flights were not cancelled at the last minute, or that near-empty flights did not run and waste fuel.
It added that passengers had a legal right to a choice between being re-routed or getting a refund if their flight was cancelled by their airline.
And if a flight is subject to a significant delay - at least two hours for short-haul, three hours for medium-haul and four hours for long-haul - passengers are entitled to food, drink and overnight accommodation where necessary.
Transport secretary Heidi Alexander said the UK Government had been working with airlines and airports to keep ahead of any fuel disruption caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
“There are no immediate supply issues, but we’re preparing now to give families long-term certainty and avoid unnecessary disruption at the departure gate this summer,” she said.
“This legislation will give airlines the tools to adjust flights in good time if they need to, which helps protects passengers and businesses.”
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