Airport News
Government proposals 'change airports' assumptions'
Fri, 13 Mar, 2009
New government proposals for the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to take over regulation of airports challenge assumptions by the institutions themselves, it has been claimed.
James Fremantle, industry affairs manager for the Air Transport Users Council, stated: "Airlines have assumed in the past that whatever they have wanted is in the interest of passengers."
He welcomed the CAA stepping in to overlook passengers' concerns and not to rely on airports reporting what it is that travellers want.
"Sometimes what the airlines want and what the passengers want can be completely different," he said, citing plans for new terminals as an example.
Recently, the Telegraph reported that the new proposals would give the CAA the power to fine airports that cause disruption to passengers.
This would extend to 15 airports.
Results of a poll by the CAA, published earlier this month, showed that 80 per cent of passengers would recommend an airport they used to other people and that travellers with charter flights are more likely to be delayed than those on no-frills ones.