The report, titled UK Aviation: reform for take-off, recommended action across international travel restrictions, consumer rights, domestic air connectivity, sustainable aviation, airport slots, Heathrow price control review and action to combat the summer airport disruption.
Calls to give the CAA more upfront powers so it can better protect passenger flights and rights have been "noted" but no update offered on when the government might deliver.
The committee’s recommendations included the urgent ability to impose financial penalties on airlines that do not provide complete refunds when they are required to do so, by law. A call to introduce a mechanism to grant automatic compensation for airline passengers was also "noted".
Merriman said the pandemic highlighted "several holes" in consumer rights around travel but the "disappointing" response will not offer any comfort for travellers.
"This response is poor on consumer rights, poor on refunds, poor on progress on airline insolvency reform and poor on preparation for future health crises," he added.
"Recommendations to provide peace of mind and consumer redress for travellers have been rejected. The regulator has to apply to court to get compensation redress for passengers.
"Specific measures to protect the industry from future pandemics, and allow it more transparency and involvement in decision-making on restrictions, have not been endorsed."
The committee noted the response did not commit to introducing an Airline Insolvency Bill and the Queen’s Speech did not include one, although provision had been made in a previous Queen’s Speech.
Although the government agreed international travel must be built into future pandemic resilience planning, it appears to reject the premise that a system able to cope with future crises can be "predictable".
The response also did not engage with the committee’s arguments for the importance of airspace modernisation in decarbonisation efforts.
