UK govt considering fines for airport operators over disrupt

New laws could levy hefty fines on airports whose poor planning disrupts travel.

Travel Insurance News - 27/12/2010

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Following a week of travel chaos brought on by heavy weather, the British government is considering new legislation that would provide fines for airport operators when poor planning causes passengers to suffer travel disruptions. Ice and snow left flights in the UK and northern Europe grounded in the days leading up to Christmas.

British Transport Secretary Philip Hammond said to the media that the management at Heathrow had woefully underestimated the volume of de-icing fluid they would require. For four days, only one of the pair of runways at the world’s busiest airport was open

Ice and heavy snow crippled services at Heathrow Airport, which could not keep both runways open. Many aircraft were left frozen in place in airport parking bays.

Siim Kallas, European Commissioner for Transport, says the disruption is unacceptable. He said he might use the law to make sure airport operators ensure minimum service levels in bad weather.

Britain’s transport ministry says the disruptions to travel had highlighted the weaknesses in the authority Britain’s aviation regulator. A ministry spokeswoman said the UK government was committed to implementing an overhaul of the way the country’s airports are regulated.

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