CAA could have power to order airports to clear snow
18.04.11
New enforcement powers that would allow the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to order major airports to clear snow from runways and stands are being considered by ministers, the Telegraph reports. The Department for Transport is ready to allow the regulator to step in and instruct airport operators how they should tackle bad weather, rather than risk a repeat of the fiasco of last December when thousands of flights were cancelled and tens of thousands of passengers stranded.
Ministers have already signalled that they are considering imposing multi-million pound fines on the three regulated airports - Heathrow, Stansted and Gatwick - if they are found to have performed badly or were poorly prepared. Now The Telegraph has reported they are prepared to go further by giving the CAA the power to intervene at the time, rather than imposing fines afterwards. Failure to comply with the CAA's instructions could also trigger financial penalties.
The changes are expected to be included a civil aviation economic regulation bill that is due to be introduced in the next Parliamentary session.
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