NEWS FEATURE
THE MAIN
EVENT
2009
to press, the airline was further
struggling as about 13,000 cabin
crew voted to walk out for 12 days
over Christmas. The strikes are
unlikely to affect BA’s proposed
merger with Iberia, announced
in November. However, BA’s
announcement this month that it
has a £3.7 billion pension deficit
may prove more problematic
VIDEO: ABTA V THE BED BANKS
September: ABTA announced
plans to toughen up on the bedbank
market with a new liability
rule that meant members selling
product through ABTA agencies
must honour bookings if an agency
fails. The motion was passed in
a vote in October. Since then, Med
Hotels, hotels4u.com and youtravel.com
have all quit ABTA.
16 | Travel Weekly Active | December 18 2009
THE ATOL PROTECTION
CHARGE RISES
October: Despite warnings that
an increase in the ATOL Protection
Contribution could cost consumers
and the industry as much as
£30 million, the increase from £1
to £2.50 went ahead on October 1.
THE CIVIL AVIATION
AUTHORITY V TRAVEL
REPUBLIC AND KANE PIRIE
October: The case began against
Travel Republic and Kane Pirie
which saw them found not guilty
of 19 counts each of breaching
ATOL regulations. The CAA has
launched an appeal, believing
there is a “strong chance” the
decision will be overturned in
the high court. The trade was
warned not to dynamically package
without ATOL protection until
the appeal has been heard.
AIR PASSENGER DUTY
November: Some destinations,
including the Caribbean and Kenya
said they were hit unduly hard
when Air Passenger Duty was
increased on November 1. The
new system means consumers are
being charged less to fly to Hawaii
than the Caribbean, while those
flying premium economy class
have also seen a disproportionate
increase. The next set of rises due
on November 1 2010.
VIDEO: OASIS OF THE SEAS
LAUNCHES
November: Royal Caribbean
International’s 5,400-passenger
Oasis of the Seas became the largest
cruise ship in the world when
it launched in Florida. Its inaugural
cruise was on December 5.
www.travelweekly.co.uk
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