MTinister for Aviation (): he Civil Aviation Authority
(CAA) has today (1
July 2025) published a report on
the progress made in relation to the 34 recommendations which
were made in the independent review's final
report into the NATS technical ITfailure of August 2023.
I would like to express my gratitude to the CAA, NATS, airlines and
airports for the progress they have made in responding to the
recommendations which were made by the independent panel. Today's
report confirms the positive approach which has been made in
responding to the recommendations by all stakeholders.
NATS has delivered its recommendations with many of these already
having been confirmed as completed by the CAA. The CAA expects to have completed
validation of all recommendations made to NATS during the summer.
Airlines and airports have committed to reviewing their practices
for communicating and assisting their passengers during periods
of disruption. The CAA are reviewing these plans
and will monitor compliance through an extended compliance
programme, along with establishing an industry code of conduct.
The CAA will
continue to hold airlines/airports to account for how they meet
their obligations to consumers.
The CAA is making
good progress in responding to its recommendations. In particular
it has focused its efforts in response to the panel's
recommendations relating to the expansion of its work on
improving industry compliance and the rights of aviation
consumers. The CAA
will commence a programme of work related to the next price
control review period for NATS (NR28)
which will directly address a number of the recommendations which
were made by the panel.
My department remains steadfast in our commitment to delivering
on the recommendations which the panel has made for government,
and we will make the required legislative reforms on which this
is dependent when parliamentary time allows, to ensure air
passengers have the highest level of protection possible.
The CAA will
provide a further report on progress with the recommendations
towards the end of the year. The expectation is that most of the
recommendations made by the panel will have been validated and
completed by the end of 2026.
