The DfT is seeking views on how to replace some regulations governing air travel passenger rights, including EU261 rules following Brexit, plus a potential increase in the CAA’s powers.
Noel Josephides, Aito’s director of industry issues, said: “Aito is pleased that, at last, the DfT is planning to look at the key issue of differing rules for airlines and tour operators when, for example, the FCDO advises against travel to a destination.
“Airlines often continue to fly to such destinations and therefore refuse refunds to the tour operators caught in this trap of conflicting regulations.
“The tour operators of course have to comply with the Package Travel Regulations, which specify that consumers must receive refunds.”
He said the laws surrounding this were “plain and simple poor legislation that has been crying out for reform for a long time now”.
He called for be better co-ordination between the Ministries involved.
“At present, SMEs both within Aito and others, are caught in the very expensive middle ground; their customers don’t travel due to FCDO rules, so tour operators are forced to make full refunds – with all the costs of staffing involved in unpicking complex travel arrangements, but without any refund of the potentially considerable airfare involved.”
Consultation on the DfT’s Aviation Consumer Policy Reform closes on 27 March.
