Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 February 2004 on establishing common rules on compensation and assistance to passengers in the event of denied boarding and of cancellation or long delay of flights, and repealing Regulation (EEC) No 295/91, what plans he has to review the compensation provisions contained in those regulations; and if he will make it his policy to ensure that any new legislative proposals brought forward on air passenger rights have a primary objective of providing a high level of consumer protection.

The Government is committed to protecting the rights of passengers when travelling by air.

Last year the Department consulted on a range of aviation consumer issues, including ways in which compensation available for delayed domestic UK flights could be amended. Its consultation also looked at other ways to bolster air passenger rights and support the industry to provide the best service possible, including how consumers’ rights are enforced.

The Department is reviewing all the responses received and will set out next steps shortly.