Easter getaway at risk for travellers booked via the Middle East

Travel businesses are dealing with increasing numbers of customers booked to travel in the run-up to and over Easter at the same time as trying to repatriate travellers still trapped by the war on Iran.

Advantage Travel Partnership chief executive Julia Lo Bue-Said described the problems facing agents as “really challenging” and “highly complicated”, saying the competing liabilities of EU air passenger rights, the Package Travel Regulations and Foreign Office advice are not helping.

She said: “We all get there is a war, but we need things to be workable. It’s a major crisis and we should have government and industry working closely together.”

Lo Bue-Said added: “The focus has been on the UAE but tens of thousands are stranded outside the UAE and there isn’t the capacity [to repatriate them].”

She said there has been no talk of reintroducing refund credit notes (RCNs) to deal with the volume of demand for refunds, saying: “The challenge right now is the stranded passengers.” 

But she added: “We will need to start thinking ahead. There are more cancellations every day. We’re working hard with operators to try to extend amendment dates. The difference to Covid is that there are alternative holidays. 

“We need to be pragmatic and re-secure as many bookings as possible. We’re advising members to speak to their suppliers.”

The Advantage chief acknowledged it is “highly unlikely” holidays to the UAE will go ahead in the run-up to Easter, saying: “If customers are booked to the UAE or to transit via the UAE, our members can’t do anything. There is no flight availability. We’re left with them cancelling.”

She said: “The costs and the lost commission will be substantial.”

Association of Atol Companies advisor Alan Bowen warned operators’ losses would “run into millions” and said RCNs would be “incredibly helpful”, adding: “An awful lot of people have bookings for Easter and don’t want to fly via the Middle East, but hotels outside the Middle East aren’t prepared to give refunds.”

An Abta spokesperson said: “If operators can’t provide a holiday or it has to be changed significantly due to the war, the customer is entitled to an alternative or a refund.”