A leading airline body has slammed the government’s Atol reform proposals in a submission to the Department for Transport (DfT).
The Board of Airline Representatives (BAR UK) denounced the proposals as “wholly inadequate” in a document submitted yesterday. It called for a postponement of the changes and maintenance of the status quo.
BAR UK represents 86 airlines operating from the UK. Chief executive Mike Carrivick said: “The proposed reforms add confusion rather than take it away. BAR UK proposes Atol protection continues to apply to fully packaged travel and excludes everything else. The consumer can then make their own decision on insurance.”
He added: “Many consumers are protected through the use of credit cards, so why pay twice? We urge the DfT to postpone any changes and review the proposals.”
The BAR UK submission raises several objections. It argues Atol funds “could be collected twice but still no protection apply”. The organisation suggests a proposal to exclude ‘right to fly providers’ would make it difficult for consumers to know whether a purchase was Atol-protected and leave airlines “to carry the burden as insurer of last resort”.
And it says: “The flight plus proposals would add confusion, since there is no protection where bookings are made over a longer period [than two days].”
Carrivick said: “There is a lack of clarity over consumer protection that needs addressing. However the proposed reforms fail to meet the objectives.”
BAR UK and the airlines oppose demands that Atol consumer protection be extended to carriers, arguing there is no need to bring in airlines as they do not suffer the failure rate of tour operators and travel retailers.
However, Abta chief executive Mark Tanzer said: “Saying not many airlines fail is like saying not many houses burn down. You are still required to insure against fire.”