AITO anger at BA over ash costs
AITO has reacted angrily to British Airways’ refusal to reimburse operators for looking after the airline’s passengers during the ash crisis.
The association’s director of industry affairs Noel Josephides has written to the Lords committee which is discussing airlines’ burden of ash crisis compensation this afternoon, asking that operators also be considered.
He commented: "I am saddened that BA sees fit to treat its tour operator partners in this way. AITO operators have continued loyally to book their customers on to BA flights – despite the many downsides, e.g. strike action, of so doing – and now get mud kicked in their faces yet again.”
He said he believed some AITO operators would stop using the airline despite its reach.
In the letter to the committee he said: "We are concerned that your Committee should not forget about tour operators, many of which paid out large amounts of money (hundreds of thousands of pounds in some individual instances).
“When you take into account the relative size of tour operators versus the size of airlines, this is substantial in terms of its impact.
“As an example, a mid-sized tour operator paid out £100,000 to get its passengers home; its turnover is £24M and its profits around £400,000 pa.”
Josephides added: "The Government runs the risk by not approving refunds that, the next time there is a similar crisis – volcanic or otherwise – both airlines and tour operators will refuse to act.”
Lime Management, which handles operator bookings for BA, said last week that if an operator had made arrangements for its customers the airline had no obligation as its duty of care was directly between carrier and passenger.
by Debbie Ward
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.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026