The Department of Transport has issued a significant update affecting passengers of Jet2, easyJet, TUI, Ryanair, and all other UK airlines. The announcement, made on Tuesday afternoon, outlines transformative changes to flight cancellation and compensation rules under the Civil Aviation Bill, which is currently progressing through its second reading in Parliament.
Enhanced passenger protections
The proposed changes aim to provide travellers with increased protections when their travel plans are disrupted. Key measures include ensuring airlines and airports properly compensate for cancelled flights, assist disabled passengers to travel freely, and support travellers through disruptions—including providing food and accommodation—or face stronger enforcement from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
Aviation Minister Keir Mather stated: "Our new laws will modernise UK aviation, supporting the redesign of our airspace for faster, more efficient flights, while enhancing aviation safety standards and delivering greater passenger protections. We’re proud of the strong, reliable experience our sector delivers day-in day-out for passengers and we are clear that no one should be let down when they travel."
New enforcement powers for the CAA
Under the new powers, the CAA will be able to take swifter, stronger action against airlines or airports that fail to meet their obligations. This includes failing to provide correct information about flight disruptions or failing to offer accessible services for disabled passengers. The CAA will also gain the ability to issue fines on rare occasions when airlines and airports do not meet passenger rights obligations.
Sir Stephen Hillier, Chair of the UK CAA, welcomed the proposals: "We welcome the government’s proposals set out in the Civil Aviation Bill to give the UK Civil Aviation Authority more flexible regulatory powers. The ability to make technical safety rules would mean we can more quickly keep the UK aligned with international standards, improve the proportionality of those rules that already exist, and better enable the growth of emerging sectors."
Airspace redesign to reduce delays
The reforms also include a major modernisation of UK airspace, which has not been significantly updated in nearly 70 years. The newly established UK Airspace Design Service (UK ADS) will be backed by new government powers to deliver redesigned flight paths, creating faster, more efficient routes into airports. This is expected to reduce delays and lower noise emissions and air pollution for local communities.
The Department of Transport warned: "Without this reform, passengers could face delays increasing by 200% by 2040, which is why UK ADS has already begun redrawing London routes, with changes planned for the mid-2030s. This will mean quicker, more straightforward approaches into airports including Heathrow and Gatwick."
Industry reactions
Karen Dee, Chief Executive of AirportsUK, said: "Aviation is a UK success story and we look forward to working with the government on this bill, particularly the provisions that will deliver faster, more resilient airspace, enabling this success to continue."
Tim Alderslade, Chief Executive of Airlines UK, added: "Air traveller satisfaction is at record highs, proof that airline competition and the UK’s dynamic aviation market work. We welcome legislation that helps regulators keep pace with our growing sector—particularly on driving vital airspace modernisation and safety."
The Transport Secretary will also gain new powers to reform rules around aircraft take-off and landing slots, paving the way for a wider review of the current system later this year.
