News

EXCLUSIVE

THE Scottish Passenger Agents Association has called for trade bodies and consortia to join forces to help influence the Civil Aviation Authority’s consultation on overhauling the ATOL system.

The body wants ABTA, the Guild of Business Travel Agents, Worldchoice, Global and Advantage to come together to ensure agents’ views are heard.

SPAA president Willie Stewart wants to avoid a repeat of the CAA’s consultation on split-contracting where he felt agents’ suggestions were ignored.

He said: “In that instance, we thought we wasted our breath. This time we want to be shouting in the CAA’s face.”

Stewart believes a combined force will have more power, as demonstrated when the SPAA and ABTA formed a joint campaign to win agents exemption from travel insurance regulations (Travel Weekly June 9).

His call comes as the trade overwhelmingly welcomed the CAA’s consultation on the ATOL bonding system (Travel Weekly July 21). Agents and operators agreed the current regulations are outdated, with most indicating they want the rules extended to cover airlines offering accommodation.