Aviation minister Robert Courts has visited easyJet at its Luton headquarters to see how the airline is planning to avoid a repeat of the disruption it has experienced over recent months.
His tour of the airport comes as the airline’s chief executive, Johan Lundgren, said the easyJet operation has “normalised”.
The budget carrier had blamed the “unprecedented ramp-up across the aviation industry, coupled with a tight labour market” for its “widespread operational challenges” which led to “higher levels of cancellations than normal”.
Courts tweeted: “To avoid further disruption this summer we’ve made it clear to the aviation industry that it must only schedule flights it can realistically deliver – which we’re supporting with a 22-point plan.
“I visited @easyJet and @LDNLutonAirport to see how they have been preparing.”
To avoid further disruption this summer we’ve made it clear to the aviation industry that it must only schedule flights it can realistically deliver – which we’re supporting with a 22 point plan.
I visited @easyJet and @LDNLutonAirport to see how they have been preparing pic.twitter.com/OgsXvX2aAJ
— Robert Courts MP (@robertcourts) July 27, 2022
The minister said in a video about his visit: “Whilst many airports and airlines are delivering to their usual high standards, the disruption we have seen recently is unacceptable.
“This is a privately operated and run sector but the government is doing all it can to support them through its 22-point plan.”
He explained this means policies such as relaxing some of the airport slot rules and “smoothing the path” for new employees to join the sector.
Courts also highlighted the government’s new Aviation Passenger Charter, which aims to be a “one-stop-shop” offering travellers the chance to find out about their rights.
He added: “Airlines should only be offering for sale those services they can reasonably expect to deliver.
“That’s why I’ve been along to see easyJet at Luton today to see what they’re doing to make sure that their staffing and their schedules are ready for summer
“I have asked the aviation sector to do everything possible to make sure this summer is a success for the British people.”
More: EasyJet reveals £133m quarterly cost of flight disruption