Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to refusing to make furlough payments to all airline and travel operators who have refused to refund their customers for cancelled flights and holidays.

Consumers whose travel plans are cancelled as a result of Covid-19 are entitled to a refund under existing legislation. Our support for the sector, including the furloughing of staff, should help to ensure that airline and travel operators are able to meet their legal obligations and that passengers will not lose out as a result of their cancelled flights and holidays.

Whether a company has refunded its customers is not part of the eligibility test for participation in the furlough scheme.