ASH UPDATE – Travel chiefs round on Government over ash response “shamblesâ€
Tuesday, 22 Apr, 2010
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The heads of TUI Travel and Thomas Cook have made a stinging collective attack on the Government over its response to the volcanic ash cloud crisis.
The bosses of the UK’s two largest travel companies claim there was no clear reason given for the blanket closure of airspace for six days.
The repatriation effort was also underestimated with no Government plan being considered until Sunday.
They claimed that the Government was condoning a “two tier system” between the way budget airlines and the carriers of holiday companies operate.
Low cost carriers made it clear it was the Government’s responsibility to bring home their passengers as their focus was to commence normal flying schedules as soon as possible, according to the tour operators.
“We believe this is a flawed and inequitable approach that is to the disadvantage of consumers,” a joint statement from TUI and Thomas Cook said.
TUI Travel chief executive Peter Long and Thomas Cook group chief executive Manny Fontenla-Novoa argue that the Government failed to pressurise low cost carriers to implement their own equivalent rescue plans.
It came after the two travel giants announced that the grounding of flights cost each companies millions of pounds.
Between them both companies have more than 100,000 holidaymakers stranded abroad over the last week, with half coming from the UK.
TUI brands First Choice and Thomson are repatriating 21,000 travellers today and 32,000 today (Thursday).
Long said: “The Government’s response to the crisis has been a shambles.
“It is clear that they underestimated the severity of the consequences of the decision for a blanket closure of the airspace for such a protracted period of time.
“This has been compounded by the act that they have neither put in place a viable repatriation plan or ensured that the industry behaves in a consistent and responsible manner.”
Fontenla-Novoa said: “I call on the UK Government, CAA and NATS to agree defined procedures and undertake proper co-ordination across EU airpace.
“The European airspace is not that big and we have to ensure there is alignment so a situation like the one we have just faced can never occur again.”
They met with transport secretary Lord Adonis yesterday to push home their concerns following a previous meeting when airspace restrictions were finally lifted after six days.
Following the latest meeting, the two travel groups said: "We are pleased that Lord Adonis has recognised the importance of repatriation and the efforts we have undertaken in this area.
"We welcome the call for similar efforts acorss the rest of the travel sector."
Lord Adonis said: "Tour operators make a huge contribution to UK Plc. I have had productive discussions with the industry leaders and will maintain a continuing dialogue over the coming hours and days."
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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