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<p>The decision taken by Gatwick airport to reduce the number of daily flights throughout
the summer is a commercial decision taken by Gatwick Airport Limited, who will continue
to work with their airline partners to operationalise this cap. We have been clear
with the aviation sector that they need to ensure they can service the flights they
offer to the passengers.</p><p>On 21 June the Secretary of State laid before Parliament
regulations that will help airlines prevent last-minute flight cancellations during
the summer peak. The regulations will allow a one-off “amnesty” on airport slots rules,
enabling airlines to plan ahead and deliver a realistic summer schedule that</p><p>minimises
disruption at the airports. Airlines will have a short window to hand back slots for
the rest of the summer season that they are not confident they will be able to operate.
This will help give passengers confidence in the schedules and more time to make alternative
arrangements if they are needed, rather than face the kind of last-minute cancellations
seen over the Easter and half-term holidays.</p><p>This Government has always prioritised
consumer rights and is continuing to make progress, to that end we have published
the Aviation Consumer Policy Reform Consultation on 31 January, this is aimed at strengthening
further air passenger rights and are publishing an Aviation Passenger Charter. Airlines
are under an obligation to provide information to passengers on their rights in the
event of a cancellation. In the event that a flight is cancelled where UK law applies,
the consumers should be offered the choice between a refund within 7 days, or to be
re-routed on similar conditions to their final destination, and they may be eligible
for compensation.</p><p>We have been clear with airlines that they need to undertake
this process as quickly as possible.</p><p>The Secretary of State and I regularly
meet with the aviation sector. In addition to these regular meetings, Gatwick joined
me and the Secretary of State on 1 June to discuss disruption over the Half Term and
they have been a central member of the Strategic Risk Group which I chair weekly,
and the Summer Resilience Group chaired by my officials weekly. Additionally, senior
officials have been meeting regularly with Gatwick over the past month and this will
continue over the summer.</p><p> </p>
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