Airlines ‘failing to warn passengers over no-deal Brexit consequences’
Airlines are accused of failing to warn passengers that up to FIVE MILLION tickets might be cancelled due to a no-deal Brexit
- Theresa May struggling to break the deadlock over how to go ahead with Brexit
- Air industry has warned five million tickets might be cancelled if there is no deal
- Consumer watchdog says airlines are not giving passengers enough information
Airlines have been accused of failing to warn passengers that up to five million tickets could be cancelled due to no-deal Brexit.
A consumer watchdog suggested the industry is ‘unwilling to give any information’ about the consequences of crashing out of the EU, and should be ‘more up front’.
The intervention comes after the International Air Transport Association (IATA) said up to five million bookings were ‘at risk’ this year if there is no deal.
The EU has said the number of flights to destinations on the continent will be kept at last year’s levels, but the number of tickets issued has been expanded dramatically since then. There are also concerns that UK travellers will need to have at least six months left on their passports.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has warned up to five million bookings are ‘at risk’ this year if there is no deal. PIctured are BA planes at Heathrow
Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel told the Times: ‘The lack of warning for passengers is alarming.’
He said: ‘It is the job of airlines to tell passengers what is likely to happen. If they were more upfront it would give passengers the information they need to protect themselves.’
Mr Boland examined the ‘booking journey’ on UK airlines’ websites, and found they do not warn travellers of the potential fallout from a no-deal Brexit.
Only Wizz Air, the Hungarian airline, has apparently warned British travellers of the position.
‘Airlines don’t seem to be willing to give any information … that’s what worries you the most and makes you really fear what is going to happen [in the event of no deal],’ he said.
May’s Brexit Plan B is ‘one more heave’ on her deal: PM will…
MPs might not vote on May’s new Brexit plan for a MONTH -…
Share this article
Passengers on flights that are axed should automatically be given refunds.
According to IATA research, five million extra seats are scheduled for 2019 compared to 2018 in order to meet consumer demand.
Chief executive Alexandre de Juniac said last week: ‘That current flight levels will be protected even with a hard Brexit is an important assurance.’
‘But with two months left until Britain leaves the EU, airlines still do not know exactly what kind of Brexit they should be planning for.
‘And there is legal and commercial uncertainty over how the Commission’s plan to cap flight numbers will work.
‘In the small window remaining before Brexit it is imperative that the EU and UK prioritize finding a solution that brings certainty to airlines planning growth to meet demand and to travelers planning business trips and family holidays.’
Theresa May (pictured returning to Downing Street today) is scrambling to find a way through the Brexit deadlock
Source: Read Full Article