Row over cover for passengers hit by disruption

AIRLINES and travel agents are in disagreement over who should provide funding to give passengers greater levels of consumer protection in the event of disrupted travel plans.

Aer Lingus is opposed to any proposal to extend the current travel trade licensing system to cover all trips out of the state, while the Irish Travel Agents Association has called for the introduction of a universal protection scheme to be funded by a new levy on all departures from Irish airports and ports. The association has suggested that part of the €10 air-travel tax announced in last month’s budget should be ring-fenced for this purpose.

Travel agents and tour operators have complained that the percentage of their turnover which they are obliged to contribute to a bonding system to compensate passengers is excessive.