People who have booked domestic flights within the UK may soon qualify for financial compensation if their journey is delayed by an hour or longer.
The plans, which were revealed by UK Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, would see consumers be entitled to significantly more money in the case of major delays.
Currently, the UK aviation sector is subject to European Union rules which stipulate that money can only be refunded in cases where delayed flights arrive over three hours after the scheduled time.
Additionally, claims in these circumstances are limited to a flat fee of £220, as reported by Hull Live.
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Under the new proposed rules, the amount refunded would correlate with the cost of the plane ticket.
This would bring the aviation regulations closer in line with those used by rail and ferry operators.
The Department for Transport's plan, which is currently a work in progress, would see the following refunds issued:
- For a delay of more than one hour but less than two hours — 25% of the ticket price
- For a delay of more than two hours but less than three hours — 50% of the ticket price
- For a delay of more than three hours — 100% of the ticket price
There will be circumstances in which these rules do not apply, however, for example in cases where flights are delayed due to bad weather, security alerts, or restricted air traffic control operations.
Mr Shapps said: "People deserve a service that puts passengers first when things go wrong, so today I've launched proposals which aim to bolster airline consumer protections and rights.
"We're making the most of our Brexit dividend with our new freedoms outside of the EU, and this review will help build a trustworthy, reputable sector."
Rocio Concha, director of policy and advocacy at consumer group Which?, argued that trust in travel firms "plummeted" when the pandemic began as some airlines "ignored their legal obligations and refused to pay refunds for cancelled flights".
She added: "This consultation is a welcome first step that must improve and strengthen consumer rights and protections so that complaints are dealt with fairly and promptly, and that passengers receive the money they are due quickly and without unnecessary hassle.
"It is also vital that the system is backed up by a regulator with the powers it needs to take swift and strong action against any company that breaks consumer law."
