The new rules would mean travellers could claim for delays of more than an hour, whereas currently they have to have been held up for over three hours. The plans would replace EU compensation rules the UK retained after Brexit.  Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the proposals "aim to bolster airline consumer protections and rights".  Currently, domestic passengers on flights shorter than 1,500km (932 miles) can claim £220 for delays of more than three hours, but nothing for shorter waits.

But the government says that, as a result of powers gained after Brexit, it could replace this system with a model similar to the one used by rail and ferry operators, which links compensation to the cost of travel.

Under the new plan, which is under consultation, passengers would be entitled to:

• 25% of the ticket price for a delay of more than one hour but less than two hours
• 50% of the ticket price for a delay of more than two hours but less than three hours
• 100% of the ticket price for a delay of more than three hours.

Other proposals to protect passengers' rights include making it mandatory for airlines operating in the UK to sign up to an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) scheme, which could help more people receive the refunds and compensation they are entitled to.

ADR programmes have helped thousands of passengers escalate complaints without going to court, but membership by carriers is voluntary.

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