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

The recent events of the Icelandic Volcano Crisis demonstrated the fragility of our transport system if affected by a natural or man-made disaster!  Many thousands of travel plans were disrupted and many air passengers and holidaymakers encountered difficulties in getting assistance from airlines.  This Organisation, like many others, championed the route to resolution of these travel complaints through the rights and obligations contained within EU Directive 261/2004 – The Flight Delay, Cancellation and Denied Boarding Rights Directive! Read More

2009 again proved that many holidaymakers and independent travellers suffered with flight delays, cancellations and denied boarding – many were not given their rights under EU Directive 261/2004!  We provide examples of some of the holiday complaints and problems we received during 2009!  We have only reproduced these stories from our e mail contacts.  These holidaymakers stories have been presented to the EU Commission in our campaigning reports!  The stories have been left largely unedited; they are in the words of the holidaymakers who have contacted us.  The names of travel companies have been removed because we consider the story or the experience of the holidaymaker is central! Read More

Here are examples of some of the fight delay, denied boarding and flight cancelleation complaints we received in 2008!  These holidaymakers stories have been presented to the EU Commission in our campaigning reports!  The stories have been left largely unedited; they are in the words of the holidaymakers who have contacted us.  The names of travel companies have been removed because we consider the story or the experience of the holidaymaker is central! 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

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 Transport Select Committee have requested stakeholders within the travel debate to submit their views on passenger’s experience of air travel. A wide remit was produced, and HolidayTravelWatch has concentrated its report on the issues of 261/2004 and aircraft safety.  HolidayTravelWatch has called for a review of the directive 261/2004, including giving air passengers improved rights to compensation when they suffer a delay, and a structured enforcement process, to ensure that rights are provided to the consumer.  We have also called for a ‘whistleblower’ campaign, akin to the one operated by the South African Civil Aviation Authority to highlight safety issues. Read More