Airlines demand UK relax noise rules and cut flight tax as fuel shortage looms

Ministers also asked to alter compensation rights and suspend emissions trading scheme amid Middle East war Airlines are lobbying the UK government to relax environmental and noise rules, modify passenger rights and cut taxes on flying, as they prepare for higher costs and a possible shortage of jet fuel because of the war in the Middle East. A list of policy requests submitted to ministers and the aviation regulator includes suspending the emissions trading scheme and relaxing limits on night flights, it has emerged. Airlines are also seeking to alter compensation rights for passengers by having fuel-related disruption counted as an extraordinary circumstances – meaning stranded passengers would not be entitled to payouts beyond refunds in the event of cancellations or delay. The full list of demands has emerged in a briefing document, first reported by ITV News, prepared by the trade body Airlines UK on behalf of carriers including British Airways, easyJet, Ryanair, Virgin, TUI and Jet2. The briefing for government said that if the current disruption to jet fuel supplies continued or worsened, airlines would be forced to cut flights and push up fares. It also repeated calls the s