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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