The UK government has created a new Aviation Passenger Charter to ensure travellers know their rights when there is disruption to flights.
Transport secretary Grant Shapps unveiled the charter on Sunday (17 July), which outlines what passengers can expect when they are affected by flight cancellations and delays.
The charter is part of the government’s 22-point plan released in June to help deal with the ongoing disruption at the UK’s airports this summer.
The initiative outlines what passengers can “reasonably expect” from airlines, travel agents and airports when flights are disrupted, including advice on what to do if flights are cancelled or delayed, or baggage goes missing. There is also guidance on how to complain if a traveller feels they have been treated unfairly.
Shapps said: “Passengers deserve reliable services and to be properly compensated if things don’t go to plan, and the chaotic scenes we’ve seen at airports are unacceptable.
“The new charter will help to give UK passengers peace of mind as they enjoy the renewed freedom to travel.”
The charter, which will be regularly reviewed, also says that disabled passengers and people with reduced mobility must receive the “best possible service”, as well as being “treated with respect and dignity”.
The government is also shortly due to announce its plans to reform consumer policies for airline passengers.