Asked by: Zöe Franklin (Liberal Democrat - Guildford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions she has had with airlines on the (a) accessibility and (b) clarity of compensation claim processes; and whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of claims procedures on passengers.
Answered by Mike Kane - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Under UK law, airlines are required to provide written information to passengers affected by flight disruptions, setting out the rules for compensation and assistance. This information must be clear, easy to understand, and available in accessible formats.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is responsible for ensuring airlines comply with their legal obligations towards passengers.
The EU conducted an assessment of the potential impact of the claims procedure on passengers as part of its proposed 2013 reform to Regulation 261, finding that some passengers were being discouraged from claiming their rights even when entitled. The UK has not carried out any further assessments on this issue since then.
Asked by: Zöe Franklin (Liberal Democrat - Guildford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of requiring airlines to issue compensation for denied boarding automatically.
Answered by Mike Kane - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
An assessment of the merits of automatic compensation for denied boarding has not been made.
Provision of automatic compensation to passengers for denied boarding would present some practical challenges that would need to be fully considered through a full public consultation ahead of any potential legislative reforms.
Asked by: Zöe Franklin (Liberal Democrat - Guildford)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to help ensure that ensure that (a) refugees and (b) stateless people are not penalised for their irregular (i) entry or (ii) arrival.
Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Home Office)
Irrespective of someone’s method of entry or arrival to the UK, all asylum claims that are admitted to the UK asylum system are carefully considered on their individual merits in accordance with our international obligations. Each individual assessment is made against the background of relevant case law and the latest available country of origin information.