Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she made of the adequacy of the UK 261 regulation in ensuring that passengers affected by short flight delays (a) late at night and (b) at any time are protected from (i) financial and (ii) logistical consequences.

No assessment has been made of the adequacy of Regulation 261/2004 in protecting passengers from financial and logistical consequences caused by short flight delays.

The Regulation sets out passenger rights in cases of denied boarding, long delays (at least two hours), and cancellations. Airlines are required to provide care and assistance for delays of at least two hours, depending on flight length, including refreshments and overnight accommodation if necessary.

Passengers whose flights arrive at their final destination three hours or more later than scheduled may be entitled to compensation, depending on the cause of the delay.