Lib Dems: We’ll support agents
news
THE ASH cloud crisis has highlighted the value of high-street travel agents, according to the Liberal Democrats. In a series of answers to TTGreaders’ ques- tions put to all parties ahead of the election, a Lib Dem spokeswoman underlined how it would support travel agents and other high-street busi- nesses. The Lib Dems said they would reform business rates, reduce employment taxes and cut red tape to support the high street. “We recognise the importance of high-street
operators in providing a personal face-to-face service,” said the Lib Dem spokeswoman. “The recent disruption caused by the volcano has demonstrated the value of personal service.” The Conservatives said they would review the rules on compensation and travel insurance for air passengers. “Current arrangements mean few passengers understand whether they are pro- tected by compensation schemes or not,” the party said. “We need more transparency.” With the survey now closed, 34% of agents told TTGthey will vote Tory in the election – with just 12% opting for Labour and the Lib Dems, and 36% still claiming to be undecided.
■Vote For Travel: Your questions answered, p10-12 – and at
ttglive.com/votefortravel
Protection in the spotlight: Industry efforts to
reform consumer protection may be helped by the ash crisis, as every potential MP is now aware of the issues, Abta’s head of public affairs has claimed. Luke Pollard, who is standing as a Labour candidate in the election, said the indus- try must capitalise on new political awareness. “If I had been asked three weeks ago how many MPs understood the issues I would have said about seven,” Pollard said. “Now I would say every candidate understands, and we must en- sure when they are in Parliament they create a better system that does not disproportionately put the cost on airlines and tour operators.”
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30.04.2010
AVIATION.
Airlines step up payment demands
AIRLINES HAVE increased pressure on the government to compensate them, saying they should be bailed out in the same way bankers were after the financial crash. The crisis has cost European airlines and tour operators up to £2.2 billion, according to an estimate released by EU transport commissioner Siim Kallas this week. He said there could be a case for state aid to help airlines forced to pick up the bill for passengers’ expenses as a result of European flying regulations.
Airlines used his statement to pile pressure on Whitehall to make the UK’s position clear. Flybe chief executive Jim French said the
Flybe chief Jim French
government should set out a com- pensation scheme before the general election. “The government helped the bankers, who got themselves in a total mess, and we believe the aviation industry, which was blame- less for the recent disruption, should receive help,” he said. Mike Carrivick of Bar UK, which
represents traditional airlines, said the shutdown had lost airlines 2% of their annual revenue. EasyJet chief executive Andy Harrison said compensation should not be used as an excuse to subsidise weak airlines. The Air Operators Association said UK airports had lost £130 million a day and should also be compensated.
30.04.2010
‘Volcano to spark spurious claims’
Sophie Griffiths.
INDUSTRY EXPERTS have warned the sector to expect a flood of claims from customers claiming their holidays were ruined by the volcanic ash crisis – even though they were not cancelled. Customers forced to cancel their holidays or
left stranded are already trying to claim from their insurance firms, but lawyers said consumers would now also start claiming for holidays they felt were spoilt. Dafydd Pugh, a solicitor in travel and leisure law for Berrymans Lace Mawer, said a rise in “distress and disappointment” claims was inevitable. TTGunderstands that one company has already received 700 claims. Travellers whose trips were unaffected but
believed their holiday had been ruined because of worrying about flight cancellations would claim for other issues, he said.
“When the weather is bad for customers on holiday, the number of claims shoots up,” he said. “No claim will be made for bad weather because consumers know this can’t be helped, but excuses such as food poisoning or dissatisfaction with the
holiday will be used. “It is inevitable that there will now be a rise in claims from those whose holidays were affected by the volcanic ash – and from those whose holidays were not.” Managing director at broker Rock Insurance
Antony Martin agreed, saying: “We have already noticed a sharp increase in claims like this, and there are so many consumer champions at the moment, these will definitely continue to rise.” Martin said claiming had been made easier
because the legal system had made it more simple to fast track cases.
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