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Which? backs fining powers for CAA
Consumer champion Which? is throwing its support behind the Civil Aviation Authority after the regulatory spelled out its limited powers to protest consumers.
CAA head of consumer policy and enforcement Anna Bowles urged ministers to give it fining powers to take swifter action against airlines flouting consumer regulations.
Without fining powers, the CAA is forced to take airlines to court which is costly and time consuming.
Citing successful legal action against Wizz Air, Bowles told the Commons’ Transport Select Committee it got the airline to refund an additional £1.2 million to customers.
However, this ‘took a year.’
“Fining powers, I think, would be helpful and also provide a disincentive to behave in certain ways,” Bowles said.
Rocio Concha, Which? Directory of Policy and Advocacy, agreed:
“Passengers have repeatedly endured unfair and in some cases unlawful treatment by some airlines in recent years,”
The Civil Aviation Authority is limited in its ability to swiftly tackle consumer harm.”
“With time to legislate before the next election now limited, it must be a priority for the next government to grant the CAA the powers it needs to issue hefty fines,” she added.
Airlines must be held to account when they break the law, and until then, ‘some airlines will continue undermining UK travellers rights with impunity.’
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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