It comes as on Monday (10 July) easyJet pre-emptively cancelled 1,700 flights due to air traffic control issues and European airspace constraints. 

Affecting almost 200,000 passengers over the next couple of months, the move will mostly impact services to and from Gatwick, easyJet’s biggest hub. 

“A repeat of last year’s failings by some airlines and airports cannot be allowed to happen again, so the aviation regulator must monitor this situation closely and be ready to take action in the event airlines fail in their legal responsibilities to passengers,” said Rocio Concha, director of policy and advocacy at consumer champion Which?. 

Concha’s words were echoed by The Advantage Travel Partnership chief executive Julia Lo Bue-Said, who said it is “essential” airlines minimise disruption, working to ensure “consumer confidence in the travel industry remains high”.

Which? has also called on the government to expedite giving the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) fining powers when airlines “fail in their legal responsibilities to passengers”.

“The DfT recently signalled its support for fining powers for the CAA, and the prospect of further chaos this summer only underlines that these powers cannot come soon enough,” Concha added.

“The prime minister must show he is on the side of consumers before it is too late – and must prioritise legislation for new enforcement powers in the King’s Speech later this year.”