UK holidaymakers warned to check for financial protection

With more popular holiday destinations now added to the Government's green list for travel and more hot-spot locations for vaccinated travellers on the amber list, many of us will now be searching for a long-awaited trip abroad. With the new additions comes more deals and offers for holidays, and ATOL

With more popular holiday destinations now added to the Government's green list for travel and more hot-spot locations for vaccinated travellers on the amber list, many of us will now be searching for a long-awaited trip abroad. With the new additions comes more deals and offers for holidays, and ATOL are reminding potential passengers that financial protection for your booking is more important now than ever.

What's the best form of financial protection?

If you are booking a package holiday, make sure that it is financially protected by the ATOL scheme. ATOL protection means that if the travel company you booked with ceases trading, you will either get your money back, or, if you have already begun your holiday, be able to complete your trip at no extra cost.

A package holiday is a combination of travel elements, such as a flight and hotel stay, that is sold by a travel provider in one inclusive price. Any UK company that sells package holidays which include a flight are legally required to register with ATOL, however, you should always check that your travel provider is a legitimate ATOL holder. You can do this on the UK Civil Aviation Authority website at:

https://www.caa.co.uk/atol-protection/check-an-atol/atol-holder-search/

How else can I protect my holiday?

While ATOL protected package holidays provide the best level of protection possible, there are other ways of booking trips and protecting your cash. Our top tips for travelling this year are:

Book an ATOL protected package holiday

Follow the rules and requirements for entry to your destination

Book on a credit card where possible for Section 75 protection under the Consumer Credit Act

Take out comprehensive travel insurance as soon as you book

Keep up to date with UK Government travel advice and follow advice when returning

Commenting, Andy Cohen, Head of ATOL, said:    “We are starting to see more and more popular holiday destinations opening up to travellers. With the final part of the summer season still to come, we expect to see an increase in last-minute bookings.

“If you're booking a trip away, beware of deals that look too good to be true. Always do your research and book a package holiday that is financially protected by ATOL. It's important now more than ever that holidaymakers make sure they are financially protected when travelling."

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UK's CAA issues safety warning after pitot blockage events at London Heathrow

A new safety warning notice has been issued after the UK's Civil Aviation Authority and the Air Accident Investigation Branch have been told about three separate events of blocked pitot tubes occurring at London Heathrow Airport which could have caused a disaster. 

These most recent events all took place between 9 June 2021 – 11 June 2021, where aircraft have been subject to pitot blockages which resulted in airspeed discrepancies and associated crew actions. All of the events are being investigated by the UK AAIB under normal ICAO Annex 13 investigation procedures. However, initial feedback seems to suggest a form of insect infestation may have 

contributed to these events.

According to the CAA, all the aircraft involved were of different types and hadn't been used very much. The aircraft had been subject to parking for periods of 3 -7 days at various locations within the airport..

Because of the risks,  the CAA advises all operators and maintenance crews to be aware of the issues and said that whilst the investigation is ongoing, such events may not be isolated to just London Heathrow and could affect many other aircraft at other airports.

The CAA also says that flight deck crews should be made aware of  "this potential issue, reminded of the importance of the speed checks during the take-off roll and the actions to be taken in the case of a discrepancy, as well as the appropriate unreliable speed indications for their aircraft type should they discover the issue once airborne."

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UK Civil Aviation Authority and Primary Engineer announce partnership to help pupils design the future

UK Civil Aviation Authority and Primary Engineer announce partnership to help pupils design the future

Primary Engineer announced that the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has become a National Partner for the 'If You Were an Engineer, What Would You Do?' competition. The competition known as The Leaders Award annually sees tens of thousands of pupils across the UK interviewing engineering professionals, identifying problems in the world and designing solutions to them, a selection of which are brought to life by university engineering teams.

The partnership with the CAA will enable both primary and secondary pupils to gain engineering insights into aviation and aerospace through direct engagement with CAA engineering professionals who will inspire pupils to consider challenges in the world, especially those related to aviation and aerospace and create innovative designs to solve them.

From trampolines which charge mobile phones to solutions for 'space junk', pupils will have opportunities to identify themselves with engineering through issues and interests that matter to them. The competition which boasts a 50:50 gender split, allows all pupils to meet engineering professionals through online or face to face sessions to find out who they are and what they do and then to focus their ingenuity on a challenge in the world they want to address.

 

UK Civil Aviation Authority and Primary Engineer announce partnership to help pupils design the future

UK Civil Aviation Authority and Primary Engineer announce partnership to help pupils design the future

Primary Engineer announced that the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has become a National Partner for the 'If You Were an Engineer, What Would You Do?' competition. The competition known as The Leaders Award annually sees tens of thousands of pupils across the UK interviewing engineering professionals, identifying problems in the world and designing solutions to them, a selection of which are brought to life by university engineering teams.

The partnership with the CAA will enable both primary and secondary pupils to gain engineering insights into aviation and aerospace through direct engagement with CAA engineering professionals who will inspire pupils to consider challenges in the world, especially those related to aviation and aerospace and create innovative designs to solve them.

From trampolines which charge mobile phones to solutions for 'space junk', pupils will have opportunities to identify themselves with engineering through issues and interests that matter to them. The competition which boasts a 50:50 gender split, allows all pupils to meet engineering professionals through online or face to face sessions to find out who they are and what they do and then to focus their ingenuity on a challenge in the world they want to address.

 

The UK's Civil Aviation Authority has issued 630 fines since February to airlines carrying passengers without the right documents.

The Civil Aviation Authority has issued 630 fines since February to airlines carrying passengers without the right documents.

It remains a requirement for all passengers, no matter which country they have travelled from, to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than 3 days before departure and to self-isolate on arrival. A passenger locator form (PLF) must also be completed and passengers arriving without a completed form and negative test face a £500 fine.

Carriers are obliged to ensure passengers have these documents before they arrive in England and can face fines of £2,000 for each passenger they carry who does not have a valid Pre-Departure Test Certificate and £2,000 for each passenger who does not have a completed PLF (including with the correct test booking reference number for managed quarantine or mandatory testing).

This is in addition to fines of £4,000 for failing to provide the correct information to passengers before departure and during the journey informing them of their requirements, and a £2,000 fine for conveying passengers who have been in a red list country in the previous 10 days to a non-designated port.

UK Civil Aviation Authority launches consultation on ATOL protection

The UK Civil Aviation Authority is inviting views on proposed changes to the ATOL regulatory system

The changes are intended to lead to better direct protection of consumers' money and improve the financial resilience of the ATOL scheme.

The UK Civil Aviation Authority has today launched a consultation on ATOL, which will consider evolving the regulatory framework to improve financial resilience.

At present, some ATOL protected travel businesses use their customers' advance payments for their holidays to fund their own operations, before the customers have had their holidays. This is a long-standing practice in the industry, but in some cases it may fail to incentivise sufficiently robust financing arrangements. The proposed changes will look at new approaches that would reduce the risk posed to consumers should any individual travel business cease to trade.

Economic regulation of Heathrow Airport

UK Civil Aviation Authority publishes update on economic regulation of Heathrow Airport Limited

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has today published a package of measures relating to our economic regulation of Heathrow Airport Limited (HAL). 

The documents cover:

    Confirmation of our policy to allow Heathrow to recover the costs it incurred efficiently as part of its expansion programme;

    The CAA's latest update on the efficiency of HAL's capital expenditure during the current price control period (Q6)

    The CAA's decision relating to HAL's request for an increase to its regulatory asset base (RAB) of £2.6bn to account for the losses incurred because of the pandemic. The CAA has agreed to a limited, early adjustment to HAL's RAB of £300m and will consider this issue further as part of the next price control (H7); and

    The CAA's view on some of the key issues it will be considering as part of H7, which will come into effect from January 2022. 

Commenting on the CAA's decision to allow a limited, early adjustment to HAL's RAB, Paul Smith, Director at the CAA, said: 

 

“Following Heathrow's request for a RAB adjustment we have taken the decision that an early intervention on the scale of its request is disproportionate and not in the interests of consumers. The other issues raised by Heathrow as part of its request will be dealt with during the next price control review.

We do, however, recognise that these are exceptional circumstances for the airport and there are potential risks to consumers if we take no action in the short term. The decision we have announced today will incentivise and allow Heathrow to maintain investment, service quality and be proactive in supporting any potential surge in consumer demand later this year.”

ATOL Spring 2021 renewals - new ATOL data published......

The UK Civil Aviation Authority confirms that of the 742 ATOL licences that expired on 31 March 2021, 554 have been renewed, with a further 89 still in the process. This means that, in total, there are now 1,662 ATOL holders overall.

Michael Budge, Head of ATOL Licensing at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said “We would like to thank those travel companies that submitted their application and supporting information for renewal in good time as well as engaging constructively with us regarding licensing requirements.”

“We have continued to focus on ensuring the appropriate protection of advance customer monies and requiring ATOL holders to maintain adequate liquidity to meet future obligations. Where appropriate, certain conditions were required to meet these obligations.”

Travel businesses that were not due to renew their ATOL licence during this renewals period should apply in good time before the 30 September 2021 expiry date.  Therefore, it is important that ATOL holders continue to work closely with the Civil Aviation Authority, so that we can support in the best interest of consumers.

 

ATOL Licences as of 31 March 2020 ATOL Licences as of 31 March 2021

805 742

Did not apply 2020 Did not apply 2021

55 (7%) 99* (13%)

Granted 2020 Granted 2021

704 (87%) 554 (75%)

Applied but not yet renewed - 1 April 2020 Applied but not yet renewed - 1 April 2021

46 (6%) 89** (12%)

 

Numbers above: At close of business 1 April 2021

* Includes 23 trade ATOL holders that no longer require to hold an ATOL licence.

** 44 of these submitted applications within the last 10 business days of March 2021.

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UK Civil Aviation Authority launches EASA-to-UK pilot licence conversion process

New details of how to transfer a licence published 

The UK Civil Aviation Authority has launched a simplified process to allow pilots who transferred their licence and medical certificate to an EU member state in preparation for the end of the transition period to get their UK licence back. 

Thousands of pilots transferred their documents to European member states in preparation for the end of the transition period in order to allow them to continue operating EU-registered aircraft. 

Now that the UK has left the European aviation system, pilots are able to hold both a UK and European licence - something that was not possible under European regulations. 

The new process is available to any pilot who held an EASA flight crew licence before the end of the transition period. 

Rob Bishton, Director at the Civil Aviation Authority, said: “I am really pleased we are able to offer this simplified route for pilots wishing to hold both a UK and EASA licence. We know it was a tough decision for many pilots when they transferred their licences to another European member state and hope they will make use of this opportunity.”

More details on the process can be found here.  

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Major safety boost for offshore helicopters moves closer

A new technical standard for 'Terrain Awareness & Warning Systems' fitted to helicopters operating offshore (Offshore HTAWS) has been published in Europe and North America. The upgrade will significantly enhance safety levels by increasing the warning time helicopter pilots receive of a potential impact by up to 600 per cent, affording flight crews a much better chance of avoiding accidents. Developed by a joint helicopter industry working group instigated by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the new standard can now be adopted by regulators and applied by equipment manufacturers to their products installed in helicopter fleets globally.

In aviation, TAWS are on-board systems aimed at preventing unintentional impacts by airworthy aircraft under pilot control with the ground or sea, known in the industry as controlled flight into terrain accidents, or CFIT.

Astral Aviation Consulting Ltd awarded GA Safety promotions contract

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (UK CAA) has awarded a contract for the provision of General Aviation (GA) Safety Promotions commencing from 1 April 2021 to Astral Aviation Consulting Ltd.

The General Aviation Unit sought a third-party supplier to provide a cost effective and efficient safety promotion and safety education service to pilots across the general aviation sector to support existing work in this area led by GAU and Communications teams.

Following a thorough internal procurement process involving reviews of written proposals and formal presentations, Astral Aviation Consulting Ltd, came out on top from an original field of 19 interested parties. This is a one-year contract with the ability to renew up to a further two years with a maximum contractual term of three years.

Sophie O'Sullivan, acting head of the General Aviation Unit said,” We are delighted to be working with Astral Aviation to take forward our work to provide a safety promotion and education service for GA pilots. “

Chris Kidd, Director, Astral Aviation Consulting Ltd said, “Astral Aviation Consulting Ltd. are delighted to partner with the CAA on this exciting initiative.  We are keen to engender a just culture through collaboration, allowing the whole of the GA community the opportunity to contribute to the safety discussion. We look forward to engaging with the community and facilitating dialogue on current and future challenges surrounding the safety of General Aviation”

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The UK Civil Aviation Authority has published data which illustrates the significant effects of the coronavirus pandemic on the aviation sector in 2020

The UK Civil Aviation Authority has published data which illustrates the significant effects of the coronavirus pandemic on the aviation sector in 2020.

68.5 million passengers were carried by all operators in/out of UK in 2020, down 75% on 2019. 

Air transport movements were down 63% compared to 2019. 

    The UK saw 1,348,044 tonnes of freight on cargo             dedicated aircraft in 2020, up 56.8% on 2019.

The UK Civil Aviation Authority has published data this week which illustrates the significant effects of the coronavirus pandemic on the aviation sector in 2020. The data shows that passenger numbers in and out of the UK fell by 75.3% to 68.5 million across 2020, with overall air transport movements down by 63.4%. However, freight cargo saw an increase of 56.8% compared to 2019.

CAA releases a new version of the The Skyway Code

The UK's Civil Aviation Authority has published a new version of its popular and useful The Skyway Code, which is designed to provide private pilots with easy, quick access to the key information they need and includes:

Pre flight checks and flight planning

UK - FIR

Key Pilot responsibilities

Airspace rules and regulations

Aerodromes Operations

Risks and Emergencies

Tables and Codes

Flying outside the UK

Links to useful safety and regulatory resources

As well as covering the regulations it includes examples of radio phraseology, tables to work out crosswind components and ground marshalling signals.

The Skyway Code can be viewed online or downloaded for later use. The latest version will always be available here:

The Skyway Code PDF for easy printing

The Skyway Code PDF with easy navigation for on-screen use

Printed copies will be available to buy soon.

Latest updates

Version 3 (March 2021) of The Skyway Code includes:

Reflects the UK’s departure from the EU and guidance on the associated changes

Updates to all aeronautical information, including radio frequencies and frequency monitoring codes

Radiotelephony exchanges updated to reflect latest CAP 413 guidance

Enhanced guidance for the use of moving map devices and avoiding airspace infringements

Introduction to Electronic Conspicuity updated to reflect recent developments

Introduction to Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) added

Description of ‘Just Culture’ for GA added

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No further action over NATS delays caused by shortage of staff at the start of the COVID pandemic

Earlier this week the UK's The UK Civil Aviation Authority released its decision in relation to an investigation (Project Palamon) under section 34 of the Transport Act 2000 (TA00). We have considered alleged contraventions by NATS (En-Route) Plc ("NERL") of certain statutory duties under the TA00 and certain conditions of its Air Traffic Services Licence. This investigation followed complaints by Ryanair and Stansted Airport about air traffic flow management delays experienced by airlines and passengers of Stansted and Luton airports.

This investigation also follows an earlier investigation conducted by the Civil Aviation Authority addressing similar complaints brought by Ryanair and Stansted Airport in 2016 in relation to NERL's performance (Project Oberon).

UK Civil Aviation Authority launches consultation on proposed modifications to the licence of Gatwick Airport Limited

The UK Civil Aviation Authority has this week published a consultation on proposed modifications to the licence of Gatwick Airport Limited (GAL). The purpose of these modifications is to implement the policy approach set out in our October 2020 consultation, in particular to accept a set of commitments offered by GAL as the basis of our economic regulation for the four years from 2021/22 to 2024/25.

Having considered the responses to the October 2020 consultation, the Civil Aviation Authority's view is that GAL's proposals form part of a package that is likely to be in the interests of consumers. The new commitments include:

    a price commitment with a cap of Retail Prices Index (RPI) + 0% for published charges;

    a number of detailed changes to service quality targets; and

    a minimum investment commitment of £120 million per year on average.

Alauda Airspeeder Mk II scale demonstrator loss of control resulting in a fly-away and eventual crash, Goodwood Aerodrome, West Sussex crash report released

Whilst performing a demonstration flight, the remote pilot lost control of the 95 kg Alauda Airspeeder Mk II scale demonstrator. After the loss of control had been confirmed by the remote pilot, the safety ‘kill switch’ was operated but had no effect. The Unmanned Aircraft then climbed to approximately 8,000 ft, entering controlled airspace at a holding point for flights arriving at Gatwick Airport, before its battery depleted and it fell to the ground. It crashed in a field of crops approximately 40 m from occupied houses and 700 m outside of its designated operating area. There were no injuries.

UK's CAA clears 737 MAX to fly again in UK airspace

Significant changes to the aircraft and pilot training have been made

CAA decision follows similar approvals from European and US regulators

CAA will have full review of UK airline plans to return the aircraft to service

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) announced last week that it will allow UK airlines to operate passenger flights with the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft again after a grounding that lasted nearly two years, after poor design and substandard safety systems caused the two fatal crashed that claimed the lives of more than 300 people. First the Lion Air crash of Flight 610 on October 29, 2018, and then the Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 on March 10, 2019.

The CAA has also lifted the ban on the 737 MAX from flying in UK airspace,  which could see the likes of Canadian airline's WestJet and Air Canada deploying the twin jet on transatlantic routes. Icelandair is currently evaluating whether to put its MAX jets back into service to European destinations.  

Lifting the ban on 737 MAX operations was largely out of the CAA's hands, and was to a large extent, just a rubber stamp exercise as they simply followed advice from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Transport Canada.

The CAA confirmed it based its decision to the 737 MAX back in the air was down to detailed information from EASA, the FAA, and the aircraft manufacturer Boeing.  Despite the last two being in collusion to originally falsify records and self-certificate the safety and airworthiness of the type before the Ethiopian Airlines and Lion Air disasters. 

SKYbrary - making flying safer......

SKYbrary is an electronic repository of safety knowledge related to flight operations, air traffic management (ATM) and aviation safety in general.

Its main objective is to become a single point of reference for aviation safety knowledge by making universally available and accessible the safety knowledge accumulated by various aviation organisations, entities and initiatives.

 It is also a portal, a common entry point, that enables users to access the safety data made available on the websites of various aviation organisations - regulators, service providers, industry.

 The SKYbrary knowledgebase is a dynamic enterprise and has taken several years to develop. To develop further, and maintain the accuracy and relevance of the knowledgebase, will require the support and active participation of all those interested in promoting best practice and knowledge in aviation safety.

SKYbrary content development priorities have been to focus on:

Who: Flight Operations and Air Traffic Management

Where: Globally

What: Operational Risks

Aviation sector: Commercial Air Transport

SKYclips are a growing collection of short animations of around 2 minutes duration which focus on a single safety topic in aviation.

Visit the home page here.

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Pilot fined for flying in and out of military aerodrome without permission

A pilot has pleaded guilty to landing and then taking-off, from RAF Valley in Anglesey last summer, despite the aerodrome being closed at the time. Richard Wood, 60, from London,  was charged with two offences of flying within RAF Valley's Aerodrome Traffic Zone without permission.

Mr Wood was today fined £3,400 at Caernarfon Magistrates' Court for the offences, which occurred on 25 May 2020, a Bank Holiday. Costs of £750 were also awarded to the UK Civil Aviation Authority which brought the prosecution. 

The Court heard that Mr Wood, flying a Pilatus PC-12 aircraft, had departed from Fairoaks Airport in Surrey before landing at RAF Valley. The aerodrome had been officially notified as closed.  That information was readily available to Mr Wood and should have been checked during his pre-flight planning routine. Military personnel at RAF Valley initially believed the aircraft was making  an emergency landing and fire and rescue vehicles were deployed.  

Once on the ground, Mr Wood explained that he had  landed at RAF Valley to visit the nearby beach.   Once it was explained to him that the aerodrome was closed and that Wales  was under strict COVID-19 travel restrictions, Mr Wood got back into his aircraft and took-off.  

Alison Slater, Head of the Investigations and Enforcement Team at the Civil Aviation Authority, said: “This was a case of poor pre-flight planning. A routine check would have shown Mr Wood that  RAF Valley was closed. There were safety implications, and, fortunately, not more of a serious outcome.”

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UK's CAA updates Mandatory Requirements for Airworthiness document

Update to CAP 747 'Mandatory Requirements for Airworthiness'

The UK's Civil Aviation Authority has updated and published issue 4 of CAP 747 ‘Mandatory Requirements for Airworthiness’ to reflect the fact that the UK leaves the European Union aviation system at 23.00 on 31 December 2020 and the CAA will no longer be a member of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

As a result, the CAA will take on State of Design responsibilities from EASA for products where the UK is State of Design. The CAA will be responsible for fulfilling the UK’s obligations as State of Design or Manufacture as specified in Annex 8 of the ICAO Convention on International Civil Aviation.

Section 1, Part 1 of CAP 747 provides new flowcharts to assist in identifying the applicable mandatory requirements for airworthiness relating to your product. The revision history in CAP 747 provides more details.

Issue 4 available here. 

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