MPs on the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) committee have launched a survey to canvas the public’s views about recent airport chaos, ahead of a session next week with industry bosses.
The politicians want to hear about travellers’ experiences with flights being delayed or cancelled – and whether they were offered a refund or compensation.
The survey will close on Sunday (June 12) ahead of the one-off evidence session on Tuesday (June 14).
The MPs will question airline bosses, unions and aviation industry bodies about the problems at airports, caused by staff shortages.
The committee will look into the causes of these issues, what could have been done better by the airlines, and question aviation minister Robert Courts on what more the government could be doing to ease the crisis.
Committee chairman Darren Jones MP said: “Thousands of people have been affected by chaos at airports in recent weeks with the prospect of delays and cancellations continuing into the summer.
“It’s right that the public get answers about what is causing these issues, how it will be fixed and how consumer rights are being properly enforced with refunds and compensation being paid promptly.”
As well as the aviation minister, witnesses scheduled to appear include Richard Moriarty, chief executive of the Civil Aviation Authority; travel write Simon Calder; Oliver Richardson, national aviation officer, Unite; Karen Dee, chief executive of the Airport Operators Association; and representatives from Tui and Which?.
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