Packages the ‘safest’ option for confused customers

Saturday, 12 Oct, 2005 0

Thomas Cook has used the rejection of the £1 levy to champion the much-maligned package holiday.

Chief executive Manny Fontenla-Novoa criticised the government’s rejection of the levy plan and said the “safest” option for consumers was to either book a package or travel on a charter carrier.

He said it was “appalling” that thousands of people travel on flights every day with no idea they are unprotected.

“Airlines have not been in favour of the levy because it increases their prices but for customers a pound is a small price to pay for peace of mind against the stress and expense of being stranded abroad,” said Fontenla-Novoa.

“While the debate rages, the safest option is to choose a package holiday, a charter flight or, if people want to build their own package, book though Thomas Cook flexibletrips which is the only way of buying a no frills flight covered by the Thomas Cook bond.”

As the Civil Aviation Authority, Federation of Tour Operators and ABTA prepared for talks tomorrow with aviation minister Karen Buck, shadow transport secretary Alan Duncan waded into the controversy by branding the government’s decision to block the levy as illogical.

He said the ruling will dismay the industry and called for a complete overhaul of the current bonding structure.

“The travel industry will be absolutely dismayed by this because it perpetuates a complete dog’s breakfast,” he said. “Doing nothing is just not an option.”

In a statement, aviation minister Karen Buck said it should be up to individual travellers to pay for insurance rather than have a levy imposed upon them. She added it would not be fair to impose a charge on all passengers just to bail out a few unlucky passengers stranded overseas.

But Buck did acknowledge that the current ATOL scheme needed updating.

“We have asked the CAA to see whether the system of ATOL bonds could be replaced with a less bureaucratic way of meeting tour operator obligations to package holidaymakers under European law,” she said.

Duncan said it was imperative to modernise the system.

Report by Steve Jones