11/04/2014

'Wake Up Call' Following Airport Chaos

A new report by MPs has said that the "chaos" at Gatwick Airport last Christmas Eve should be a "wake-up call" for all airports.

Last year, more than 11,000 passengers were affected by delays and cancellations after flooding caused a power failure. Subsequent "confusion" as to what was going on, as well as a "lack of information" coming from the airport, added to the problems, the House of Commons Transport Committee has claimed.

For passengers left stranded at the airport, a lack of toilets and drinking water were also criticised, while there was confusion over what affected customers could be reimbursed for.

The report said: "The problems at Gatwick at Christmas Eve should be a wake-up call for airports across the UK to get on top of operational resilience issues.

"Disruption, of whatever nature, should be met with well-drilled plans, familiar to airport operators, airlines, and other contractors, which put passenger interests first."

The airport, which is located in West Sussex, said it accepted the findings of the report and had established a £30m resilience fund.

(CVS/JP)

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