MS Balmoral | Transatlantic/American Cruise | Holiday Complaints | Jan/Feb 2010
Friday, March 19th, 2010Principle Information: Read More
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Holiday CompensationIt is always surprising to find just how forgiving or accepting holidaymakers are! Many will simply accept the reasoning given to them for poor hygiene conditions, holiday illness, significant changes in holiday accommodation, flight problems, cruise complaints etc! Holidaymakers should consider this; if they purchased a ‘white goods’ product in the UK, and it was delivered faulty, it is very likely that they would complain and if appropriate seek compensation! What then is the difference with seeking compensation for holiday complaints or problems? Holidaymakers who do complain in resort or when they come home, are often faced with a frustration in their complaints process – one which leads to a poor return and a holidaymaker that is unlikely to return to the ‘brand’ that caused them offence! Those who do not complain, either in resort or when they return, are currently being met with the response that they cannot make a claim – and many accept this position! This section provides information on the process of compensation by reference to articles, commentary and our ‘Call to Arms’.
Below is a selction of articles from this section – to see the full range of articles, please click on the links above or on the categories on the left. Please read our Legal Notice at the bottom of this page. Hotel Shores Amphoras | Sharm El Sheikh | Egypt | Holiday Complaints | Oct/Nov 2009Friday, March 19th, 2010Principal Information: Read More Call for a new relationship between the Consumer & The Aviation IndustryFriday, March 12th, 2010Since the latter part of 2009, Consumer Organisations and The Travel Industry have been engaged in a lengthy Political Consultation process, to determine the future of Consumer or Travel Industry Rights and Obligations or Safety Issues. HolidayTravelWatch has been fully engaged in this process and has responded to the UK Department for Transport on the future regulation of the aviation industry. Read More Call to EU Commission to create real and sustainable Air Passenger RightsFriday, March 12th, 2010Since the latter part of 2009, Consumer Organisations and The Travel Industry have been engaged in a lengthy Political Consultation process, to determine the future of Consumer or Travel Industry Rights and Obligations or Safety Issues. HolidayTravelWatch has been fully engaged in this process and has responded to the European Commission’s request for Stakeholders to provide comment upon Air Passenger Rights. Call for EASA to act on Aerotoxic or Sick Aircraft SyndromeFriday, March 12th, 2010Since the latter part of 2009, Consumer Organisations and The Travel Industry have been engaged in a lengthy Political Consultation process, to determine the future of Consumer or Travel Industry Rights and Obligations or Safety Issues. HolidayTravelWatch has been fully engaged in this process and has responded to the European Aviation Safety Agency’s request for Stakeholders to provide comment upon ‘Cabin Air Quality onboard Large Aeroplanes’
Our report highlights that 63% of passengers surveyed declared that they had experienced smoke/fumes onboard aircraft. We found that many suffered with symptoms of light-headiness, disorientation, chest problems and skin conditions. We also discovered that a number of passengers continued to suffer with these symptoms along with irritability, behavioural problems, neurological difficulties, depression and other physical and psychological problems.
HolidayTravelWatch provided further Consumer comment, supplementing that already given to The Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority in June 2009.
Frank Brehany, the Senior Consumer Advocate for HolidayTravelWatch states:
“We have monitored and reported on this important issue since 2006. There appears to be an impasse between Government and Campaigners, perhaps fuelled by the fear of expensive litigation. We have called for the immediate installation of filters on all bleed aircraft, an obligatory reporting system for crew and passengers alike and the creation of a ‘no fault protocol’, uniting passengers, crew, airlines, manufacturers, oil companies, scientists, lawyers and politicians in a quest to resolve this important 21st century problem. I ask; is that too much to ask in order to guarantee safety – will EASA act to protect the interests of all aviation stakeholders?” Read More Consumer Objectives & The Aviation Industry – Response by HolidayTravelWatch to The UK Department for TransportSaturday, March 6th, 2010In the final Public Consultation this season, The UK Department for Transport has requested that stakeholders offer their views on their proposals to update the regulatory environment for the aviation industry. HolidayTravelWatch has responded to their detailed questionnaire, dealing with the effect of their proposals on the proposed ‘Consumer Objectives’ – Safety – Consumers – Environment. Many of the complaints we receive centre around failures under EU Directive 261/2004 (Denied Boarding, Flight Delays and Flight Cancellations), EU Directive 1107/2006 (Rights to Persons of Reduced Mobility), EU Directive 211/2005 (Issues concerning aircraft safety – eg EU Blacklist of Airlines etc) and lost and/or damaged luggage disputes. We have responded to this Consultation in a manner which is informative, constructive but nonetheless critical. We have called upon all stakeholders, to meet the challenges of dialogue and progress with Politicians and Consumers, to create a new deal and a truly sustainable future for the UK and EU airline industry! Read More Air Passenger Rights – Report to The EU Commission – The Consumer Perspective!Friday, February 26th, 2010The EU Commission, through DG Mobility & Transport have ordered a Consultation into Air Passenger Rights. Such rights involve areas such as EU Directives 889/2002 (Air Carriers Liability – particularly on the issue of mishandled luggage), 96/67 (Baggage-handling/Ground-handling), 261/2004 (Denied Boarding, Flight Delays & Flight Cancellation), 1107/2006 (Reduced Mobility Passenger Rights), 1008/2008 (Common Rules for Air Operations) and 2111/2005 (Air Safety Issues). We have reported on the issues of flight rights, aircraft safety issues, lost or damaged luggage and financial protection for holidaymakers and air passengers. Read More |
HTW has noted that amongst the submissions to the Committee on Toxicity (COT) it has been suggested that the symptoms highlighted by crew and passengers were akin to the condition of hyperventilation.
HTW has for many years received reports from concerned holiday makers or independent travellers as to the safety of their aircraft, ship or boat, train or road transport.
