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Bonding protection hopes

The Civil Aviation Bill, unveiled in this week’s
Queen’s speech, has been hailed as a golden opportunity to
sort out travel’s bonding mess and bring about the
long-awaited level playing field.

The industry has welcomed the proposal claiming it is an ideal
framework for the Civil Aviation Authority’s recommendations
to bring scheduled airlines under ATOL protection, currently being
scrutinised by the Department for Transport.

The bill includes several measures affecting aviation, such as
plans to introduce a consumer levy to replenish the debt-ridden Air
Travel Trust Fund. Although the extension of ATOL protection is not
included in the current bill, the potential is there for the DfT to
add it to the legislation when its consultation process is
complete.

ABTA chief executive Ian Reynolds said the bill presented “the
best chance we’ve ever had” to sort out the ongoing problems
with bonding.

“It is a golden opportunity to fill the big gap in consumer
protection. We hope the Government will grasp it.”

Federation of Tour Operators director-general Andy Cooper said
there was more than a fighting chance of getting the bill through
as the general election meant parliament had an extended session of
18 months. He said: “It is a good opportunity to find a solution to
the situation that has vexed the industry for a long time.”
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