Brits warned summer flights may change amid new airline rule

This temporary rule change will allow airline carriers to consolidate flights on routes where there are multiple trips to the same destination on the same day.

The Department for Transport (DfT) said it means passengers could be moved from the service they originally booked to a similar one to reduce the amount of wasted fuel from flying planes that have not sold out and might have been cancelled.

Why has DfT revealed this temporary rule change for UK airlines?

It comes amid warnings of a shortage of jet fuel ahead of the peak summer holiday season if the Strait of Hormuz does not reopen.

Supplies of jet fuel from the Middle East have been disrupted since the US and Israel’s war with Iran because of Iran’s effective closure of the strait, a critical international shipping route.

The DfT said the measure is designed to give passengers “greater confidence” by helping airlines to lock in their schedules earlier.

Transport secretary Heidi Alexander said: “There are no immediate supply issues, but we’re preparing now to give families long-term certainty and avoid unnecessary disruption at the departure gate this summer.

“This legislation will give airlines the tools to adjust flights in good time if they need to, which helps protect passengers and businesses.”

Meanwhile, Rob Bishton, Chief Executive of the UK Civil Aviation Authority, added: “Passengers in the UK are well protected by some of the strongest rights in the world, offering reassurance if disruption does occur. 

“Airlines have a duty to look after their passengers when they face disruption, and should offer a choice between a refund or alternative travel arrangements, including with another airline, if a flight is cancelled.

“Relaxing the rules around slots at airports will allow airlines more flexibility and so we expect them to give passengers as much notice as possible of cancellations during this period.”

However, the Conservatives have criticised the new plan, claiming it could see passengers “herded on to a different plane, at a time of the airline’s choosing”.

Consumer group Which? said rules should not be “bent in favour of airlines”.

Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel, explained: “Existing rules already allow airlines to move customers to new flights so long as they give them more than 14 days’ notice and offer the choice between a new flight or a refund.

“It’s only for cancellations within 14 days that compensation is payable, rightly.

“It’s not fair for the rules to now be bent in favour of airlines and potentially leave passengers holding the bill.

“Many passengers will understand that disruptions can occur and may be happy to travel a few hours or a day later, but for those on short trips or connecting flights it could mean the trip is no longer worthwhile.

“Before any changes are made, passengers need cast-iron assurances that their rights will not be weakened and that airlines cannot use reform as cover to shift the cost of disruption on to travellers.”

US airline shuts down after 34 years – what it means for passengers

Also in the aviation industry, a US airline has announced that it has gone out of business after 34 years, and all its flights have been cancelled.

Spirit Airlines , which once operated hundreds of daily flights on its bright yellow planes and employed about 17,000 people, said it had “started an orderly wind-down of our operations, effective immediately”.

Known for offering budget flights, the American airline said on its website that all flights have been cancelled and customer service is no longer available.

“We are proud of the impact of our ultra-low-cost model on the industry over the last 34 years and had hoped to serve our guests for many years to come,” the announcement said.

If you’ve booked flights with Spirit Airlines to US hotspots, you might wonder what you should do to secure a refund.

Recommended reading:

The airline told customers that they could expect refunds, but there would be no help in booking travel on other airlines.

It warned its customers not to arrive at airports following the cancellation of all its flights.

To check your refund status, you’ll need to log on to the website or search for your trip.

Have you had any recent flights that have been cancelled or rescheduled from or to the UK over the last few weeks? Let us know in the comments below.