Civil Aviation Bill proposed stronger passenger-rights enforcement

Air passengers would gain stronger regulatory protection under a Civil Aviation Bill described by the UK Government on 2 June 2026.

The bill, which was going through its second reading in Parliament, proposed new enforcement powers for the Civil Aviation Authority. The government said the regulator could fine airlines or airports that failed to meet obligations covering cancelled flights, disruption support and accessible services for disabled passengers.

Those duties included providing correct disruption information and, where required, food and accommodation. The announcement described the measures as stronger enforcement of passenger obligations rather than a guarantee that every individual claim would succeed.

The bill also backed the UK Airspace Design Service's work on redesigned flight paths and proposed new powers over take-off and landing-slot rules. Separate provisions would allow the CAA to make technical aviation-safety rules more quickly in response to emerging risks and international developments.

The government warned that, without airspace reform, passenger delays could increase by 200% by 2040. That figure was a government projection attached to the case for legislation, not an independently verified outcome.