Airline passengers who experience delays and cancellations will be entitled automatically to refreshments and compensation under a new European law agreed on Wednesday.

Government Response: Department for Transport

A government spokesman said: "We regard this legislation as too detailed and cumbersome. It's best left to market forces.

"Those airlines that are always delayed will not get used. Different passengers want different quality of service from airlines. Someone using a low-cost airline once a year paying a cheap fare may not expect the same service as a regular business passenger."

Forum Response: Consumers' Association

Phil Evans, senior policy advisor at the Consumers' Association, said: "We broadly welcome the moves by the Commission to compensation passengers, such as those bumped off flights.

"Any claim by airlines that changes of this sort will put up fares has to be treated with some scepticism.

"However, given the importance of the low cost sector in the UK anything that undermines their competitiveness would be a concern. We will look at this one closely in the next few months."