PLANES owned by failed airlines could be used to repatriate passengers who are left stranded abroad under plans announced by the Government.
The plans were announced in the Queen’s speech after 150,000 Brits were left stranded abroad following the collapse of Thomas Cook.
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The new legislation, revealed in the speech, would enable collapsed carriers to be placed in special administration, meaning their aircraft and crew can continue flying to bring customers back to the UK.
The purpose of the new legislation would be to “protect passengers in the event of an airline going bust by reforming the insolvency process.”
To put it into place, the government would enhance the CAA’s regulatory power when detecting future airline failures, as well as allowing both ATOL and non-ATOL protected passengers the same repatriation rights.
The CAA would also be able to grant a “Temporary Airline Operating Licence” to allow the airline to get their passengers home.
ATOL COSTS What is the CAA and what does ATOL protection mean?
Under the existing system, when an airline goes bust its planes are grounded, leaving passengers at risk of being stranded.
When the Government wanted to ensure Thomas Cook customers would be repatriated, it had to ask the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to secure the use of 150 aircraft from around the world to operate nearly 700 flights at a cost of £100 million.
The Government believes enabling the CAA to use an airline’s existing planes and crew in future cases would mean there is less disruption and cost to taxpayers.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “We’ve seen recently the huge impact airlines collapsing can have on passengers and staff.
“To bring over 140,000 Thomas Cook passengers home, the Government and UK CAA worked together round the clock and, with the support of people across the globe, carried out the biggest peacetime repatriation exercise in UK history.
“I’m determined to bring in a better system to deal with similar situations in future, helping ensure passengers are protected and brought home quickly and safely.
“I’ve personally spoken with Peter Bucks, the chair of the Airline Insolvency Review, and plan to draw on his expertise and bring in airline insolvency reforms as quickly as possible.”
The final report from the review was published in May and recommended the introduction of a 50p levy per air fare to cover the cost of bringing UK passengers home when an airline goes bust.
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A number of airlines have gone bust in recent years, with the collapse of Monarch Airlines in 2017 leaving thousands stranded abroad.
Earlier this year, FlyBMI went into administration.
We explain how to protect yourself if your airline or holiday provider goes under.
