Industry in last ditch bid to win levy backing
Industry leaders have written to MPs urging them to back plans to add a £1 consumer protection levy to the Aviation Bill.
ABTA, the Federation of Tour Operators, Association of Independent Tour Operators and Co-op Travel Trading Group have all put their names to a letter being sent today.
In it, the bodies urge MPs to add their name to an amendment being tabled next Monday by Brian Donohoe MP. While the amendment would not introduce the levy per se, it would enable the secretary of state to introduce such legislation.
The letter states: “The very real concern of the industry is that is the measures facilitating the introduction of the levy are not included in the Civil Aviation Bill then the opportunity may be lost for many year in what are increasingly difficult conditions for the aviation industry.
“The creeping irrelevance of the current ATOL system is no longer a prediction but has become a reality even though consumers still believe they are protected in the event of an airline failure.”
It stresses that administration of the levy would be straightforward, would not burden the aviation industry and save the industry and consumers tens of millions of pounds.
ABTA said the letter will be sent to 130 MP’s who have “shown an interest” in the levy issue. Newman Street believe the more MPs sign the amendment, the greater chance of a debate in the House of Commons.
Lobbyists on behalf of the association said the issiue “was on a knife edge.”
“There is cross party support for a levy and pressure is growing on the government,” a spokesman said.
The government can either throw out the amendment on Monday, agree it or agree in principal but insist on wording the amendment itself.
Report by Steve Jones
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