ABTA celebrates trade success in Brussels

ABTA has claimed two victories over the European Parliament today after it discovered its plan to quash a fee-free 14-day cooling off period for holiday bookers had been successful and there would be no EU-wide air tax.

The Consumer Rights Directive passed last week is minus the amendment proposed by some MEPs that consumers should be able to cancel a booking without a fee being imposed within 14 days, thanks to ABTA’s lobby, says the organisation.

It also says its opposition to the suggested per passenger air tax across the EU had made an impact as it has not appeared in the next EU Budget.

ABTA Head of Public Affairs Luke Pollard said: “ABTA has invested significantly in our work in Brussels and the hard work is paying off. I am delighted that the Consumer Rights Directive has been passed without proposals for a holiday booking cooling off period. A cooling off period would have forced significant changes to current business models and almost certainly resulted in higher prices for consumers and additional costs for holiday companies.

“However, there is still some support for the concept and there is a danger that it may return in the terms of a revised Package Travel Directive. ABTA will continue with our industry partners to lobby in Brussels to make sure that we successfully make the case against this damaging and ill-thought out proposal.”

He added; “Yesterday, we also had confirmation that the EU will not be pursuing its own air tax on top of the UK’s Air Passenger Duty. As the country with the highest air tax the UK was at the forefront of efforts against yet another new tax on flying and it looks as if our arguments have won the day.”

 

by Dinah Hatch