§ Mr. BlizzardTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which body is responsible for monitoring complaints by air passengers regarding perceived dangerous in-flight incidents. [97265]
§ Mr. MullinThe Civil Aviation Authority is responsible for the safety regulation of UK registered aircraft and airlines. Under the Air Navigation Order UK airlines are required to report all in-flight occurrences which could affect the safety of the aircraft so that the CAA can monitor airline safety performance. The CAA review all such reports and publish a monthly summary. If a passenger has a concern about an in-flight incident on a UK airline they should take it up with the airline concerned in the first instance. If they are not happy with the response they should write to the CAA.
The safety regulation of foreign airlines is primarily the responsibility of the State in which the airline is based. Foreign airlines operating to the UK are required to comply with the minimum standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation. When the Department receives a complaint from a passenger which indicates that a foreign airline operating to the UK is not complying with ICAO standards we will follow the matter up with the airline concerned, or its regulatory authority.