As airlines are told they must have “deliverable” schedules in a bid to avoid a repeat of the recent chaos at airports, one company has seemingly enjoyed a boost from the queues.

WH Smith, which has a major presence at UK airports, reported that it had seen bumper travel business trading during its third financial quarter to 11 June. The end of May and early June saw tens of thousands of holidaymakers affected by delays and cancellations as airlines and airports grappled staff shortages.

The problems have existed since Easter when flight volumes rose after the end of COVID restrictions.

Following a hearing by MPs into the causes of the half-term mayhem on Tuesday, the Department for Transport (DfT) and Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) issued a joint letter to the aviation industry calling on companies to take “all possible steps” to “avoid the unacceptable scenes we have recently witnessed”.

It stated that earlier cancellations are “better” than axing flights on the day of departure.

The Independent’s travel editor Simon Calder, who was among the witnesses giving evidence to the parliamentary committee, told Sky News that British Airways and easyJet were the two airlines giving the most cause for concern.

Source: Civil Aviation Authority – Qatar