OPERATORS will know within a month whether they can
surcharge customers, according to ABTA (Travel Weekly November 5).
The association expects the Government to be sympathetic to
a call for a change in the law that will allow large and small operators to
pass on extra costs to clients.
ABTA and the Federation of Tour Operators are awaiting a
response from the Department of Trade and Industry, which could alter package
travel regulations to bring in the surcharging rules.
Currently, operators must absorb 2% of extra costs, such as
increased airline or airport charges, which is the same figure as most margins,
and could wipe out profits.
ABTA head of legal services Riccardo Nardi said: “Airlines
can pass on extra charges, but package companies cannot and this is a problem.
“Clients should not be worried about this, as the extra
costs will only be around £5-£15.”
The association also wants to surcharge 20 days before
departure, rather than 30 as the current rules stipulate.
Existing bookings will not be affected. Nardi added the
Government should agree to the changes to help shore up the travel industry.