The government will not include the controversial £1 consumer levy in its Civil Aviation Bill – but has left the way clear to include the charge at a later date.
The concession, regarded as significant by industry observers, was made by transport secretary Alistair Darling.
The Federation of Tour Operators said although a parliamentary standing committee left the bill unchanged, there is scope to add elements to the bill even after it has been passed. A third reading of the bill in the House of Commons will be heard when MPs return after the summer recess.
FTO secretary general Andy Cooper described the move as “not unhelpful.”
“It is still very much in the hands of the government and we are waiting with bated breath,” he told TravelMole. “The standing committee who sat last week made no changes to the bill but I have seen a letter from Alistair Darling which stated legislation can be introduced at a later date.
“We are still hopeful.”
He said the delay in the third reading of the bill – after which it goes to the House of Lords – will give the industry more time to lobby MPs.
The FTO, ABTA and other industry bodies want the levy on scheduled carriers to ensure passengers will not be stranded if an airline collapses.
Report by Steve Jones
