I was struck by the article from Travel Weekly (8/7/2010), in which concern was expressed that agents would be in line to receive more complaints from Travel Consumers, as a result of an EU Commission led campaign, to highlight their rights where they suffer with flight or rail delays, denied boarding or cancellations!  Indeed, ABTA described the information campaign as ‘unhelpful’ and that they were concerned that the views of the travel industry had not been accounted for before the campaign was launched!  This was followed by an apparent comment from the Association’s spokesperson, who is reported to have stated, “The posters do not reflect our interpretation of the regulations and we don’t want confusion. We are asking the EC to review the campaign” – further comment was made that the regulations were drafted for a purpose and not drafted to deal with issues such as the recent Volcano Travel Crisis! Read More

In the final series of ‘Watch Out For Further Announcements’, we examine passengers rights under 261/2004 & the Montreal Convention following a flight cancellation. We look at the issue from the perspective of the British Experience of Fog and Industrial Disputes during the winter of 2006/7! Read More

Following a complaint received from a Holidaymaker, we investigated and reported in the May 2007 edition of Get’Away, the issue of the potential for Carbon Monoxide or Neurotoxins within Aircraft Cabins.  This condition is now commonly known as Aerotoxic or Sick Aircraft Syndrome.  This has become one of the most important developing travel issue this decade!  We have reported extensively on this issue, our latest report having beiong submitted to EASA in January 2010! Read More

The recent article (4/6/2010) in The Independent, highlighted a ‘league table’ of offending airlines, who it is claimed, are more prone to losing, damaging or delaying the baggage of airline passengers (note the vehement rejection by one airline of the survey’s findings).  Lost, Delayed or Damaged baggage are some of the common complaints we receive; the principle difficulty is that airline passengers do not appear to know what to do if they should suffer with any of these problems!  We attended a recent meeting at The Department for Transport, where this very issue was discussed and it was agreed amongst Consumer Groups, that the airline passenger suffers with a lack of access to timely information, in what is obviously a stressful time for them!  The Air Transport Users Council (AUC), which is part of the CAA has a useful guide to this thorny problem!  In the May 2007 edition of Get’Away, we summarised the rights of passengers under the Montreal Convention for Destroyed, Lost or Delayed Baggage due to the fault of an airline. It should be noted however, the limits for compensation have been increased since that article!  The new limits of compensation are now – Lost, Delayed or Damaged baggage 1,131 Special Drawing Rights Per Passenger – or – the limit for claims for delay is 4,694 Special Drawing Rights Per Passenger! Read More

For several years, HolidayTravelWatch has been engaged in providing commentary and observations to Westminster and the EU Commission on Holiday and Travel Problems!  In making their comments, they have now provided over 1,500 ordinary Consumer comments on their holiday experiences.  We have responded to a wide variety of Public Consultations and attended the all important stakeholder meetings in London in January 2010 & Brussels on 22 April 2010.  In Brussels, we presented the Consumer position on the proposed amendments to The Package Travel Directive, to Industry and Consumer Representation Groups of the 27 Member States.  The range of reports submitted in 2010 include: Read More

The EU Directive 261/2004 is probably the most important set of rights yet created for air passengers.  It provides for very clear rules and obligations on the part of airlines and passengers.  This article provides basic information in relation to the new denied boarding, flight cancellation, of flight delay Regulations – The New Rules for Denied Boarding, Flight Cancellation or Flight Delay – 20.6.06.pdf Read More

The recent Volcanic Travel Crisis, has highlighted the extremes of service within holiday or transport contracts!  Some holidaymakers report to us that they have been very well taken care of by their provider, whereas others report a not so happy exprience!  When the crisis broke, HolidayTravelwatch produced a guide designed to assist holidaymakers ‘trapped’ in their various resorts or airports.  However, the aftermath has produced many enquiries from Travel Consumers and many different problems associated with their journey.  In order to try and bring together many of the complaints we have received, we have produced a non-exhaustive guide indicating areas of consideration, which could be used, to try and resolve your problems stemming from this crisis; topics covered include: Read More