Lobbyists seeking broader financial protection for airline passengers have welcomed Gwyneth Dunwoody MP’s decision to call another Transport Committee meeting in autumn.
Committee chairwoman Dunwoody said the recent collapse of EUjet highlighted why consumer protection regulations need to be extended to cover scheduled and budget airlines.
More than 5,400 EUjet customers were stranded overseas when the airline filed for administration on July 26.
About 90,000 people must now seek refunds on their bookings. Most will be left out of pocket say analysts (Travel Weekly August 5).
The Transport Committee published its Financial Protections for Air Travellers report in July 2004, calling for the Government to ‘take action swiftly to address this significant problem’. However, the Government is yet to respond.
Dunwoody said: “Our report pointed out Government delay and prevarication will only increase the risk to which travellers are exposed. Sadly, but predictably, this turned out to be the case.”
The committee is now seeking written submissions by September 20 and will set a meeting date soon after.
It’s unlikely the autumn committee meeting will happen before Parliament holds its third reading of the Civil Aviation Bill on October 10, said ABTA chief executive Ian Reynolds.
ABTA understands a decision regarding the Bill – unveiled in May – will be made on October 10.
“It is still well worth pursuing because there will be opportunities to keep the pressure on,” said Reynolds.
A Civil Aviation Authority spokesman said the body had received just under 100 responses from EUjet passengers who had lost money.