The Government will today be quizzed by a House of Lords committee over the decision to close European airspace during the ash crisis and whether EU regulations on compensation place an unfair burden on airlines.
The debate, chaired by Baroness O’Cathain, will consider if the six-day flight ban was an overreaction and whether a standardised limit for ‘safe’ ash concentration levels should be established by the European Aviation Safety Agency.
Airlines including British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Ryanair have been critical of the handling of the crisis which cost them millions.
The committee will consider if the current EU regulations regarding compensation to passengers in the event of disruption to air travel place is an unfair financial burden on airlines.
It will also look at efforts to ensure an integrated transport network to provide an alternative in the event of a similar scenario.
Director of aviation at the Department for Transport, Jonathan Moor, will give evidence at a public hearing of the Lords EU sub-committee on the Internal Market, Energy and Transport.
He will be supported by the DfT’s international aviation and safety division head, Francis Morgan, and head of aviation safety branch Susan Hamilton.
by Debbie Ward
