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In a House of Commons debate on the impact of the ash clouds on aviation, Minister of State at the Department of Transport Theresa Villiers, commented that “The Government have not ruled out providing support for airlines”. During both ash cloud events package tour operators also provided accommodation and covered day to day expenses and ABTA believes they should be included in any possible compensation package. ABTA travel agents worked tirelessly to support and re-arrange travel arrangements for customers, often opening extended hours and all weekend during the crisis.

Luke Pollard ABTA Head of Public Affairs said “The industry agrees with Minister Villiers comments that the ash clouds were an unprecedented event and many Government agencies were involved in dealing with the effects both in the UK and Europe and it is clear the relevant regulations did not work well. We welcome the recognition she has given to the exceptional efforts made by the industry to look after and bring customers home as well as refunding and rebooking thousands. However we do not accept that the travel industry should have to bear the entire costs of unprecedented and ongoing natural events which are the responsibility of Governments and their consular services. Any future compensation package is not only the right and proper thing to do but must also reimburse all those companies who carried the financial burden of looking after affected customers”

For further information contact:
Sean Tipton, Senior Press Officer, tel: 020 3117 0513,
Frances Tuke, Public Relations Manager, tel: 020 3117 0514, Mobile 07850 712 325,
John DeVial, Head of Communications, tel: 020 3117 0515, Mobile: 07545 927 411
Out of Hours:  Contact the Duty Press Officer via pager: 07659 190987
E-mail: press@abta.co.uk
Web: www.abta.com
 
Notes to Editors
ABTA – The Travel Association was founded in 1950 and currently has 1,351 members with 5,700 outlets. Members include travel agents, tour operators and support services right across the spectrum from small family-owned businesses to the largest tour operators. 

ABTA is the largest travel association in the UK and its members provide 90% of the foreign package holidays in the UK as well as selling millions of independent travel arrangements. 

In 2008 ABTA merged with the Federation of Tour Operators [FTO], thereby cementing its role as the leading travel association and increasing benefits for both ABTA and FTO members. Both the ABTA brand which is highly recognised by consumers and the FTO brand which is well known in destinations will be retained.

As part of its comprehensive package of services to members, ABTA, as a non-party political organisation works to represent the interests of its Members to government and key opinion formers in the UK and EU.