Sir, – Now the recent air travel chaos seems to be subsiding we need to look at lessons that can be learnt. Events were obviously the result of an unforeseen phenomenon, but I would question the response of the Government and the European authorities.

Initially a safety first approach was the right course of action. However, the Government was slow to respond, the scientific information used was too limited and in the end the length of the travel ban was perhaps disproportionate.

Firstly, we need to find a common approach to compensation for passengers who were stranded around the world. A huge amount of my constituents are writing to me now complaining that they weren’t well cared for during their ordeals.

European rules are in place and they provide adequate protection for passengers. These must be respected by the airlines.

Secondly, we have to deal with the situation the airlines find themselves in. They have been losing money at a time when many are already in dire financial straits.

Airports have also lost out, and there must be measures in place that compensate them also. This has to come firstly from the UK Government, as the decision to impose the EU flight ban was taken by individual Member States.

We must be better prepared to prevent this level of disruption to the travelling public if such events ever happen again.

TIMOTHY KIRKHOPE, MEP for Yorkshire and the Humber Leader of the Conservatives in the European Parliament, Main Street, Scotton, Near Knaresborough.