Flight-only bonding remains a concern
Tour operators remain concerned that they will have to continue bonding flight-only travel while scheduled airlines are not required to.
Thomson and First Choice, now merged as TUI Travel UK, welcomed the announcement made today that the £1 levy to replace ATOL bonding will go ahead (see previous story).
But the group called for talks with the government over the issue of consumer protection for flights rather than packages.
“Traditional tour operators are required to bond flight-only products, yet scheduled and low-cost airlines offering the same product on the same routes are not required to do so,” a company statement said.
“There is absolutely no rationale behind this decision and we urge the Government to ensure all air passengers are fully protected against the insolvency of their airline and that they offer a level playing field for tour operators and airlines.”
However, the company said it was “delighted” that the “highly confusing” current system of ATOL bonding has been simplified through the levy arrangement from April next year.
The changes are “long overdue”, the company added.
The Federeation of Tour Operators echoed the views, saying: “This change is something for which the FTO has long campaigned.
“The new £1 levy to continue this valuable protection is easy for customers to understand, and much fairer for travel organisers.
“The main exception relates to the continuing requirement for tour operators to bond their flight-only services whereas scheduled and no frills airlines on the same routes and competing for the same passengers do not.
“All air passengers should benefit from adequate consumer protection and tour operators deserve a level playing field as they face aggressive price competition in the marketplace.
“The FTO calls for this anomaly to be urgently addressed.”
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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