Munster fans’ cheap flights deals threatened by legal action

HUNDREDS of Munster rugby fans heading to Italy for the Treviso game later this month may have to make alternative travel plans after claims that their tour operator has been conducting business illegally.

It emerged yesterday that the Commission of Aviation Regulation (CAR) is set to prosecute the Limerick organiser of the cheap flight packages, Pamela Hickey, for not having a valid tour operator licence.

Several hundred supporters have already travelled to other Heineken European Cup away games in Gloucester and Bourgoin on flights organised by Ms Hickey through a group called the Munster Sporting Club (MSC).

Many are believed to have paid around €800 each for a three-match deal to travel to all Munster’s first-round matches abroad.

The packages have proven a big hit as fares are up to 35% cheaper than charter flights operated by licensed travel agents.

Around 300 fans have booked with the MSC to fly to Venice on January 24. However, travel arrangements are now in jeopardy as the CAR may consider taking out an injunction against the MSC to prevent it operating any further unlicensed flights.

“We would advise anyone who buys travel to check that the tour operator has a proper licence. If they don’t, customers will not enjoy the protection which the licence system provides in the event that the tour operator fails to deliver on their contractual obligations,” said a CAR spokesperson yesterday.

Under the Transport (Tour Operators and Travel Agents) Act 1982, anyone convicted of carrying on a travel business without a proper licence can face a maximum jail sentence of five years and/or a fine of up to €127,000.

It is understood Ms Hickey indicated to the regulatory authority in late December that she was in the process of applying for a licence. However, sources confirmed no formal application had been made prior to last weekend when around 300 fans travelled on two special charter flights to Bristol arranged by the MSC.

Ms Hickey, a 30-year-old mother from Patrickswell, Co Limerick, was unavailable for comment yesterday.

Declan O’Connell, chairman of the Munster Rugby Supporters Club, said many fans were “fierce disappointed” but was confident nobody would suffer any financial loss as a result of the controversy.