Asked by: Lord Soley (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how a passenger whose flight has been delayed or cancelled can ascertain whether that cancellation or delay has been caused by air traffic control problems.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
Under the Civil Aviation Act 2012, airports report to the CAA punctuality of flights. This data is collated and published on the CAA’s website on a monthly basis.
In addition, airlines, airports and air traffic providers also input delays and the reason for delays into the EUROCONTROL system, as part of a well-established and accepted industry process.
Passengers’ rights are primary and when passengers are delayed or face cancellations, they deserve explanations and refunds.
Passengers have the ability to claim for delayed and cancelled flights through UK261. Through this process they are able to request an Air Traffic Control (ATC) statement, that will outline any ATC delays their flight experienced.
Moreover, if passengers feel they have not received adequate details from their airline, they are able to raise this with either the CAA’s Passenger Advice and Complaint’s Team (PACT) or with the Alternative Dispute Resolution scheme approved by the CAA.
On 17 July, the Secretary of State announced the new Aviation Passenger Charter which helps passengers understand their rights and responsibilities, including when there is disruption.
We continue to be clear that any delays and cancellations should be avoided by the aviation sector but when these happen, and passengers are affected they should be in a position to rightly claim refunds or compensation.
Asked by: Lord Soley (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how a (1) passenger, or (2) other member of the public, can identify whether (a) an airline, or (b) air traffic control, are responsible for the delay or cancellation of a flight.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
Under the Civil Aviation Act 2012, airports report to the CAA punctuality of flights. This data is collated and published on the CAA’s website on a monthly basis.
In addition, airlines, airports and air traffic providers also input delays and the reason for delays into the EUROCONTROL system, as part of a well-established and accepted industry process.
Passengers’ rights are primary and when passengers are delayed or face cancellations, they deserve explanations and refunds.
Passengers have the ability to claim for delayed and cancelled flights through UK261. Through this process they are able to request an Air Traffic Control (ATC) statement, that will outline any ATC delays their flight experienced.
Moreover, if passengers feel they have not received adequate details from their airline, they are able to raise this with either the CAA’s Passenger Advice and Complaint’s Team (PACT) or with the Alternative Dispute Resolution scheme approved by the CAA.
On 17 July, the Secretary of State announced the new Aviation Passenger Charter which helps passengers understand their rights and responsibilities, including when there is disruption.
We continue to be clear that any delays and cancellations should be avoided by the aviation sector but when these happen, and passengers are affected they should be in a position to rightly claim refunds or compensation.
Asked by: Lord Soley (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how disputes between airlines and air traffic control systems over the reasons for delays and cancellations are recorded.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
Under the Civil Aviation Act 2012, airports report to the CAA punctuality of flights. This data is collated and published on the CAA’s website on a monthly basis.
In addition, airlines, airports and air traffic providers also input delays and the reason for delays into the EUROCONTROL system, as part of a well-established and accepted industry process.
Passengers’ rights are primary and when passengers are delayed or face cancellations, they deserve explanations and refunds.
Passengers have the ability to claim for delayed and cancelled flights through UK261. Through this process they are able to request an Air Traffic Control (ATC) statement, that will outline any ATC delays their flight experienced.
Moreover, if passengers feel they have not received adequate details from their airline, they are able to raise this with either the CAA’s Passenger Advice and Complaint’s Team (PACT) or with the Alternative Dispute Resolution scheme approved by the CAA.
On 17 July, the Secretary of State announced the new Aviation Passenger Charter which helps passengers understand their rights and responsibilities, including when there is disruption.
We continue to be clear that any delays and cancellations should be avoided by the aviation sector but when these happen, and passengers are affected they should be in a position to rightly claim refunds or compensation.
Asked by: Lord Soley (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether either the (1) Civil Aviation Authority, or (2) individual airport air traffic control systems, have responsibility for recording details of flight delays and cancellations.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
Under the Civil Aviation Act 2012, airports report to the CAA punctuality of flights. This data is collated and published on the CAA’s website on a monthly basis.
In addition, airlines, airports and air traffic providers also input delays and the reason for delays into the EUROCONTROL system, as part of a well-established and accepted industry process.
Passengers’ rights are primary and when passengers are delayed or face cancellations, they deserve explanations and refunds.
Passengers have the ability to claim for delayed and cancelled flights through UK261. Through this process they are able to request an Air Traffic Control (ATC) statement, that will outline any ATC delays their flight experienced.
Moreover, if passengers feel they have not received adequate details from their airline, they are able to raise this with either the CAA’s Passenger Advice and Complaint’s Team (PACT) or with the Alternative Dispute Resolution scheme approved by the CAA.
On 17 July, the Secretary of State announced the new Aviation Passenger Charter which helps passengers understand their rights and responsibilities, including when there is disruption.
We continue to be clear that any delays and cancellations should be avoided by the aviation sector but when these happen, and passengers are affected they should be in a position to rightly claim refunds or compensation.
Asked by: Lord Soley (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the reason for the air traffic control problems that led to flight cancellations on (1) 26 May, (2) 27 May, (3) 28 May, (4) 29 May, and (5) 30 May.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
We are aware that over the periods specified, there were some limited times when flow restrictions where in place at Gatwick. These restrictions are managed locally and operational decisions are taken, depending upon a variety of factors, including weather, flow rates in European airspace, delays on the ground and operational safety.
The safety of our skies is paramount, any decisions that air traffic controllers take will always prioritise safety.
Asked by: Lord Soley (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many flights in and out of Gatwick Airport were cancelled as a result of air traffic control problems on (1) 29 May, (2) 30 May, (3) 31 May, and (4) 1 June.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
We are aware that over the periods specified, there were some limited times when flow restrictions where in place at Gatwick. These restrictions are managed locally and operational decisions are taken, depending upon a variety of factors, including weather, flow rates in European airspace, delays on the ground and operational safety.
The safety of our skies is paramount, any decisions that air traffic controllers take will always prioritise safety.
Asked by: Lord Soley (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many flights (1) in, and (2) out, of Gatwick Airport were cancelled due to air traffic control problems (a) in total between 20 and 29 May, and (b) each day during that period.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
We are aware that over the periods specified, there were some limited times when flow restrictions where in place at Gatwick. These restrictions are managed locally and operational decisions are taken, depending upon a variety of factors, including weather, flow rates in European airspace, delays on the ground and operational safety.
The safety of our skies is paramount, any decisions that air traffic controllers take will always prioritise safety.
Asked by: Lord Soley (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the potential to reduce aviation emissions through improved air traffic management.
Answered by Viscount Younger of Leckie - Shadow Minister (Work and Pensions)
The UK has set targets for the next five years for air traffic management aimed at reducing flying times and therefore aircraft emissions. These are in line with the environmental target contained within the EU performance scheme. In addition UK industry is actively involved in the Single European Sky ATM Research (SESAR) programme which is developing new technology and operational procedures that will lead to further improvements in this area. This includes the implementation of the Civil Aviation Authority’s Future Airspace Strategy which has the need to reduce aviation emissions as a key objective.
Asked by: Lord Soley (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what research they have conducted into (1) understanding how noise emissions from aviation impact on local communities, and (2) the effectiveness of different noise mitigation approaches in reducing the number of individuals affected by aircraft noises.
Answered by Viscount Younger of Leckie - Shadow Minister (Work and Pensions)
In 2012 a National Noise Attitude Survey was carried out on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which included attitudes to noise from transport sources including aircraft.
In 2014/15, Ipsos/MORI conducted on behalf of the Department for Transport a survey on noise attitudes which focused on noise from civil aviation, near to major airports in England. The results of the survey are currently being analysed with a view to publishing a report next year.
Asked by: Lord Soley (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they have taken to encourage the development of sustainable aviation fuels in the United Kingdom.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
The Department for Transport and the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership established a Transport Energy Task Force in September 2014 to examine options to meet our renewable energy and greenhouse gas reduction targets, including through the wider deployment of sustainable biofuel. The Task Force included input from representatives of the Sustainable Aviation group. The Task Force’s report was published in March 2015 by the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership. My hon Friend the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport, the Hon Member for Harrogate and Knaresborough (Andrew Jones) met with Task Force representatives, including Sustainable Aviation, in July.
The Task Force recognised that sustainable biofuels have a valuable role in reducing carbon emissions from transport, particularly in sectors where there are limited alternatives such as aviation.
We are assessing the benefits of making aviation biofuels eligible for certificates under the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO). We aim to include proposals in a public consultation next year on amendments to the RTFO scheme.