Gordon Marsden MP, Labour’s Shadow Aviation Minister, commenting on the Transport Select Committee’s Report, ‘Putting Passengers First: Disruption at Gatwick, Christmas Eve 2013,’, said:

“It’s clear from this report that we need a step change to ensure passengers are made the priority in air travel. The Committee’s report outlines the grisly detail of passengers’ experiences on Christmas Eve, including lack of drinking water and adequate toilet facilities. Despite the efforts of individual staff, management failures left passengers in the dark over the fate of their flights and compensation.

“The Government must be far more proactive in improving passenger experience. We need a laser like focus also on improved, integrated transport at Gatwick and other airports. So the £50m going to Gatwick after the Davies Commission recommendations needs to be used to improve passenger facilities be part of a priority to improve connectivity by road and rail access to airports. Ministers must oversee much tighter coordination between airports, airlines and regulators, as the Committee demands.”