The Department for Transport has explained remarks by aviation minister Robert Courts that indicated there would be no review of the CAA’s powers, which would include those used to crack down on carriers stalling customer refunds.

Courts was answering a written question in which he said it was not appropriate “at this time to review the statutory duties of the CAA overall”. 

The DfT explained Courts “was specifically outlining that the DfT does not consider it the right time to do a (wholesale) review of all the CAA’s statutory duties”.

It added a consultation on air passenger protection, including enforcement powers for the CAA, would soon begin.

A DfT spokesperson said: “It is wrong to claim that plans to ensure airlines refund passengers will be scrapped.
 
“We remain committed to protecting passengers who are waiting for refunds from flights affected by Covid restrictions, and we will soon be consulting on how we can strengthen the Civil Aviation Authority’s powers to enforce protections for air passengers.”

The CAA declined to comment.