5 2
EasyJet rejects no-deal ‘scares’
Ian Taylor
ian.taylor@travelweekly.co.uk
The head of the UK’s biggest airline, easyJet’s Johan Lundgren, has dismissed reports that a no-deal Brexit threatens holiday flights.
Consumer magazine Which?
picked up on an Iata claim that “up to five million plane tickets could be cancelled in a no-deal Brexit” and accused airlines of failing
like other carriers, has taken steps to operate under both UK and EU operators’ certificates, registering 130 of its aircraft in Austria. Yet the Iata claim was picked
up by other media including the Liverpool Echo, which reported:
BREXIT
to warn customers. Which? editor Rory Boland cited easyJet when he told London’s Evening Standard: “Airlines should be more upfront that some flights may not depart.” But Lundgren said: “The EU
and UK have committed to ensure flights will continue with no deal.” Iata acknowledged last week
that: “Current flight levels will be protected even with a hard Brexit.” But it suggested an EU note that no deal could lead to a cap on capacity meant “up to five million extra seats scheduled for 2019 are at risk”. Lundgren told Travel Weekly
such an EU cap “would not have any impact” on easyJet, insisting: “We will not be affected.” EasyJet,
The EU has said UK flights will continue even in a no-deal Brexit
“No-deal Brexit puts up to five million flights at risk and will hit summer holidays hardest.” Amber Road chairman and former Advantage Travel chief John McEwan slammed that story as “scaremongering of the highest order”. But Der
Touristik UK chief executive Derek Jones responded:
“There is some truth in it. Iata has confirmed flight numbers to the EU could be capped.” The EC confirmed in December:
“In case of no deal, EU legislation [will] allow European airlines to continue to operate basic air routes between any member state and the UK.” It also noted its right of “adjusting the allowable capacity” if access to the UK was restricted. The UK government issued assurances in September. Transport secretary Chris
Grayling repeated the assurance in
a letter to Aito last week. › Brexit impact, back page
Tui offers refund for wedding woe
Phil Davies
phil.davies@travelweekly.co.uk
Tui has launched an internal review and vowed to refund an angry customer who erected scaffolding outside one of its agencies saying the holiday giant ruined his wedding.
Jason Cooper organised the
protest in front of the store in Broadstairs, Kent, with posters that read “Tui ruined my wedding” and showed unhappy faces in contrast to the firm’s ‘smile’ logo. He had booked a wedding venue
in Zante as part of a two-week holiday, but when he arrived on the Greek island days before his wedding, he found it could hold only 45 guests rather than 100 as had been promised. Cooper, who runs a scaffolding
firm, said Tui had taken three months to respond and had then dismissed his complaint. He told KentOnline: “The reps said they had nothing to do with weddings. We spent a week trying to find a new venue at our own expense. “We booked everything with Tui
to save headaches at the other end.” Tui said it will offer a full refund
“We are carrying out a full review into what happened during the booking process”
and has apologised to the couple. In a statement, the company
said: “We would like to sincerely apologise to Mr and Mrs Cooper and their party for the mistakes made with their wedding booking. “We understand this would have been a stressful experience and extremely disappointing for the customers during what should have been a very special time. “We are carrying out a full
internal review into what happened, both during the booking process and since the customers returned home. “We are in contact with Mr and Mrs Cooper to apologise and we have offered a full refund of their holiday and extra costs.” Kent Police arrived at the agency
last Thursday but did not order the scaffolding to be removed. A spokesman said: “Officers attended and it was established the dispute relates to a civil matter.”
24 January 2019
travelweekly.co.uk5 3
Jason Cooper outside Tui in Broadstairs
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PICTURE: KENTONLINE
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