Jet fuel and flight cancellation fears eased for Brits with improved airport travel rules announced

Marking the 2026 state opening of parliament today (13 May), King Charles delivered his third King’s Speech as monarch.

A total of 35 bills were announced as part of this, including the Northern Powerhouse Rail Bill, Clean Water Bill and Draft Ticket Tout Bill.

And in the mix of the King's Speech was also the Civil Aviation Bill.

This comes at a time when Brits are panicking about their summer holidays getting cancelled due to fuel shortage fears. Plus, let’s not forget, we often seem to find during these busier travel months that delays at airports are more frequent.

However, this legislation will strengthen airline passengers’ rights.

Also as part of this, the Bill will give the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) additional enforcement powers to ensure that airlines comply with consumer laws.

The new Bill will strengthen passengers' rights. (Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP via Getty Images)

The Government will also be able to update the law on passenger rights and this could mean strengthening the alternative dispute resolution (ADR) process. This then can result in a decision being made on a claim without the need to go off to court.

So, these kind of changes with tighter enforcement to comply with consumer laws can help with concerns such as passengers being denied the assistance they’re entitled to during major disruption – like overnight accommodation.

Other measures in the Bill include supporting airport expansion by reforming how take-off and landing slots are allocated, consolidating aviation safety legislation, and supporting a new system to design airspace.

Now, it’s worth noting that this Bill has literally just been announced, so it’s not totally crystal-clear exactly how these enhancements will look. But it’s promising for Brits while the crisis with the Strait of Hormuz rumbles on with the jet fuel crisis.

In short, the Civil Aviation Bill will strengthen passengers’ consumer rights and protections as well as changing the regulation of airport slots to support the expansion of airports.

The new Bill comes at a time of flight cancellation fears. (Getty Stock)

The Government did also give another example in potentially changing compensation rules for damage to mobility aids. At the moment, international rules mean payouts are capped at about £1,500 despite some powered wheelchairs costing more than £20,000.

What rights do we currently have regarding cancellations and delays?

Citizens advice explains that you may be able to get compensation if your flight was:

• leaving from the UK – it doesn’t matter which airline it was with
• leaving from the EU, Iceland, Norway or Switzerland - it doesn't matter which airline it was with
• arriving in the UK and was with a UK or EU airline
• arriving in the EU and was with a UK airline

If your flight is cancelled, you have the legal right to either a full refund or a replacement flight to get you to your destination.

If your flight is delayed for long enough, your airline has to give you food and drink, access to phone calls and emails and accommodation if you’re delayed overnight. You can find more on citizensadvice.org.uk.