The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is taking its appeal against the not-guilty ruling in the Travel Republic case to the Supreme Court, despite industry figures urging the watchdog to drop the case.
The CAA has filed an application with the Supreme Court for permission to appeal the High Court’s decision and a decision is expected by the end of the summer.
The High Court upheld the Magistrates Court’s decision to rule in favour of the online travel agency last year. The CAA had taken action against Travel Republic over an alleged breach of the Atol regulations.
The CAA said in a statement: “Although the Divisional Court upheld the decision of the Magistrates Court, it readily certified that this case concerns a point of law, which is of general public importance.
“The CAA view on this case remains unchanged after taking leading counsel advice and therefore agrees with the Divisional Court that the issue in this case remains a
matter of public interest. Seeking certainty for consumers and clarity for industry are the overriding reasons for the CAA’s decision.”
Speaking at the ITT Conference, Thomas Cook chief executive Manny Fontenla-Novoa called for the CAA to drop the case, branding it “a distraction”.