Courts made the comments during a visit to Luton airport this week where he checked in on easyJet "to see what they’re doing to make sure their staffing and schedules are ready for the summer".
His visit follows assurances from easyJet earlier this week it planned to operate 95% of its fourth-quarter schedule (three months to 30 September).
The airline said capacity caps at several European airports had led to "much improved" July operations. “EasyJet remains focused on ensuring smooth operations this summer and will continue to fine tune our schedule if required," said easyJet in a trading update on Tuesday (26 July).
"After two years of travel restrictions, millions of people are waiting to go on their well-deserved holidays," said Courts. "And while many airports and airlines are delivering to their usual high standards, the disruption we’ve seen recently is unacceptable.
"Airlines should only be offering for sale those services they can reasonably expect to deliver."
Courts said the government was doing "all it can" to support the "privately operated and run sector" through its recently launched 22-point plan. The government claims the plan will help the aviation sector recruit and train staff it needs to ensure delivery of a “realistic” summer schedule, one that minimises disruption and assists passengers who face unavoidable delays and cancellations.
Other efforts highlighted by Courts included the recent slot amnesty, allowing airlines to hand back take-off and landing slots without being penalised, and "smoothing the path for new employees to join the sector".
"We’re also publishing an Aviation Passenger Charter that helps people to travel again after Covid, but also means passengers will have a one-stop shop, one place where they can go to see what their rights are should they need to see them," said Courts.
"I’ve been along to see easyJet at Luton to see what they’re doing to make sure that their staffing and their schedules are ready for the summer. I’ve asked the aviation sector to do everything possible to make sure that this summer is a success for the British people."
