Page 45 - Lawtext Utility Law Review Journal Sample

192 16[2006/2007]4 ULR UK CURRENT SURVEY

AIR

British Airports Authority

www.baa.co.uk

WebTrak Both BAA Stansted and Heathrow airports have launched a new aircraft track replay
25 May 2007 system called ‘WebTrak’. The system will allow the public to see flight tracks for aircraft
using these airports, together with details of their height, location and flight number. The
system is intended to assist local residents to find out more about the likely effects of
aircraft noise on their communities.

Civil Aviation Authority

www.caa.co.uk

Air Navigation Order exemptions The CAA has announced general exemptions from the Air Navigation Order (‘ANO’)
1 May 2007 for light aircraft engaged on non-public flights. The exemptions cover the requirement in
the ANO to carry an approved emergency locator transmitter and also the requirement
for approved lifejackets, life rafts and supplementary oxygen equipment. The original
intention of the ANO change for lifejackets, life raft and supplementary oxygen equipment
had been to require suitable equipment rather than approved equipment. Their carriage
will still be required, but the CAA intends to issue a general exemption stating that this
equipment need not be approved. Similarly a general exemption will be issued permitting
a personal locator beacon to be carried in lieu of an emergency locator transmitter.

Air navigation service providers It has been confirmed that all UK air navigation service providers that were compliant
13 July 2007 with the new European Common Requirements in advance of the 21 June deadline have
been certified in accordance with the Regulation. Air navigation service providers provide
air traffic services, meteorological and aviation information and aviation communications,
navigation and surveillance services.

Department for Transport
www.dft.gov.uk

Disabled travellers From 26 July 2007 it will be illegal for an airline, travel agent or tour operator in Europe
5 July 2007 to refuse to embark a disabled person with a valid ticket and reservation. EC Regulation
1107/2006 imposes new legal obligations on airport operators, air carriers, their agents
or tour operators. The law also covers persons with reduced mobility, including people
who would not normally be classed as disabled (for example, those with a temporary
mobility problem). From 26 July 2008 airport managing bodies will be required to organise
the provision of the services necessary to enable disabled/reduced mobility passengers
to board, disembark and transit between flights, with costs recovered through a charge
on airlines proportionate to the total number of passengers they carry to and from the
airport. Anyone refused boarding on the grounds of disability or reduced mobility will be
able to complain to the Disability Rights Commission who can refer the matter to the
Civil Aviation Authority which has the power to prosecute and impose a fine.

Office of Fair Trading

www.oft.gov.uk

British Airways fined A fine of £121.5 million has been imposed (the highest ever for infringements of
113.07 1 August 2007 competition law) on British Airways for colluding over the price of long-haul passenger
fuel surcharges. British Airways admitted that it colluded with Virgin Atlantic between
August 2004 and January 2006 over the surcharges added to ticket prices in response to
rising oil prices. Over that period the surcharges rose from £5 to £60 per ticket for a
typical long-haul flight. Virgin Atlantic will not pay any penalty since it qualifies in principle
for full immunity under the OFT’s leniency policy, whereby a company involved in cartel
conduct which is the first to give full details about it to the OFT qualifies for immunity

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