The UK Government has laid regulations before Parliament that will help airlines prevent last minute flight cancellations during the summer peak. The regulations will allow a one-off “amnesty” on airport slots rules, enabling airlines to plan ahead and deliver a realistic summer schedule that minimises disruption at the airports. This is being provided as an exceptional measure, while industry makes progress in recruiting necessary staff, said the government.
The UK Government will give airlines a short window to hand back slots for the rest of the summer season that they are not confident they will be able to operate, helping passengers find alternative arrangements ahead of time, rather than face the kind of last-minute cancellations seen over the Easter and half-term holidays.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “Today’s announcement aims to help airlines provide certainty to passengers and ensure the next few months are as smooth as possible.”
Aviation Minister Robert Courts said: “Today’s announcement follows the discussions that my officials and I have been having with airports and airlines to understand where we can help them and ensure that they can run realistic schedules and make this summer a great success for the British public.”
Tim Alderslade, CEO of Airlines UK, said: "This is a welcome step which will help build greater resilience into operations this summer, coming on top of measures already taken by the sector. We will continue to work with Ministers and the whole aviation eco-system to ensure the summer peak runs as smoothly as possible for our passengers.