Consumers could be paying an extra £1 on every
flight they book by this time next year to protect themselves
against scheduled airline failure.
The Civil Aviation Authority is delivering its research on
financial protection for air travellers to the Government next
week.
ABTA, the Federation of Tour Operators and the Association of
Independent Tour Operators have written to every House of Commons
MP in a last push to urge decision makers to close the loophole
that means scheduled air travel sales are unprotected.
A consumer levy is believed to be the best way of tackling the
issue. No amount has been confirmed as yet, but the FTO said
£1 would be appropriate.
FTO director-general Andy Cooper said: “We are working hard
to make sure the Government accepts the fundamental need for this
to happen.”
The letter asks MPs to support an early-day motion put forward by
Louise Ellman MP last week on the issue of financial protection.
Transport committee vice-chair Brian Donohue has also tabled a
series of parliamentary questions on the issue.
In the meantime, ABTA, the FTO and AITO plan to launch a
“short, sharp, shock” advertising campaign next week to
urge the Government to act now.
The CAA has completed its research for the Department for
Transport. The next stage will be a public consultation before it
could be potentially added to the civil aviation bill, announced
last week. The whole process could take 12-18 months.
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