Airlines in the firing line over APD refunds
Airlines are coming under fire today from a passenger rights group for not refunding Air Passenger Duty when flights are cancelled.
The Air Travel Advisory Bureau (www.atab.org.uk), has promised to take up the cause of UK air passengers who have not received APD refunds, claiming they run into millions of pounds.
“The APD tax is only paid to the government by the airline if the passenger actually flies but if the passenger doesn’t fly, that money should be refunded in full,†said an ATAB statement.
“Some airlines make the process of getting a refund either difficult or so expensive in ‘administration charges’ that they hope it will put people off applying.â€
ATAB said the Consumer Association’s magazine Which estimated that Ryanair, as far back as 2003, pocketed in excess of £5 million pounds, in that year alone, in un-refunded taxes.
“I am amazed that the airline industry has been allowed to sink to its present condition. In the last 10 years air travel is the only major form of transportation that has gone backwards.†said Tony White, Chairman of ATAB.
Former MP and government Consumer Minister Nigel Griffiths has joined the campaign.
“It is frankly shocking that some airlines are pocketing millions of pounds by keeping to themselves taxes they are simply not entitled to. I have written to the chief executives of all the major airlines asking them to voluntarily refund taxes to passengers who are unable to fly. Otherwise we will campaign to strengthen consumer law to make refunding mandatory.â€
By Bev Fearis
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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