| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 02/10/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 2 |
| Copyright: Other |
EC to start monthly airline league table
The Guild of Business Travel Agents paid a visit to the European parliament in Brussels to discuss several key aviation issues. Louise Longman reports
THE EUROPEAN Commission is planning to launch a monthly airline league table in a bid to improve European air travel standards for passengers and airlines.
The league table will apply to scheduled aircraft only.
A similar charter league table is currently operatedby the Air Transport Users’ Council.
A launch date for the proposal is expected before the end of the year but it is unlikely the table will be published before 2002.
The table will be based on similar league tables used in the US and will require airlines to submit the following information: delays encountered on routes and individual airlines; the number of passengers denied bookings; cancellations for reasons other than safety or security; delayed, lost or damaged baggage and the level and reasons for the complaints.
A source at the European Commission said: “The idea behind this table is to give passengers information about routes and airlines so they can make better and more informed choices.
“It will also provide a stimulus for airlines to improve their services.”
Airlines will be legally bound to provide statistics on a monthly basis.
The source said the table would not incur huge costs for airlines.
He said: “This is the sort of information airlines should have for internal management, I don’t see it as a big deal for them.”
Following the EC’s proposal the league table must be approved by the Council of Ministers and the European parliament. However, Guild of Business Travel Agents member and Ian Allan Travel chairman Paul Allan felt the table could become a pariah for everyone involved.
“If airlines did come across problems, Iimagine they would find it hard to sort them out in a month.
“The table could prove to be unfair.”
Virgin was less sceptical. A spokesman said:”No well run carrier has anything to fear about league tables.”
Table talk: airlines will be legally bound to offer statistics each month