To facilitate the online application process for the travel trade in the spring 2013 licensing round, the Commission for Aviation Regulation will hold a webinar during the week commencing 14th January 2013. Applicants should contact [email protected] if they wish to register for this event. During the webinar, the Commission will explain the steps that need to be followed to complete an online licensing application, and will respond to applicants’ questions about the online licensing system.
The online licensing facility will open on Tuesday 15th January. The deadline for receipt of completed licence applications (for standard application fee of €300) is Tuesday 12th February. The Commission aims to issue decision-in-principle letters for applications made by 12th February. The deadline for receipt by the Commission of the applicant’s bond for licence to be granted by 1st May 2013 is Tuesday 16th April.
Applications received on or after 12th February but before 1st March will attract a levy of €2,021 in respect of each application. Applications received on or after 1st March will attract a levy of €4,042 in respect of each application.
Commission Notice
A Notice posted on the CAR website sets out the Commission’s scheme to implement the travel trade licensing regime in the spring licensing round of 2013 in order to facilitate a smooth and orderly renewal of licences, for the benefit of applicants and consumers. The ‘Spring Round’ means licences commencing from 1st May 2013.
It states: “It is important that applicants take account of the requirements of the financial services industry associated with securing any type of bond, particularly in respect of the timelines and securities needed to obtain bonds. Prompt engagement with these providers in an active way is needed to ensure these providers are fully aware of the requirement to ensure the new bonds are received in this office by the due date.
“This note sets out the relevant timeline for the licensing round. In addition, each licence holder will be notified by email and post with the timelines of spring 2013 licensing round. It is the sole responsibility of the applicant to make him/herself familiar with the timetable and the dates when the application and financial statements are due. No obligation rests on this office to remind applicants of various dates and the absence of reminders will not be taken into account when applying levies in the event of the applicant’s failure to meet deadlines.
“Applicants should be aware that the providers of bonds (guarantees), such as banks and insurance companies, require several weeks’ notice to ensure that completed bonds are returned to applicants. Active engagement with these providers is needed to ensure they are fully aware of the requirement that new bonds should be received in this office by the date due.
“For Spring 2013, the general approach to the licensing round will be as follows:
- The Commission aims to issue decision–in–principle letters four weeks from receipt of completed applications
- Applicants are allowed a maximum of a further four weeks to obtain a bond
- The Commission aims to grant licences within two weeks of receipt of a bond, subject to all outstanding issues having been resolved to its satisfaction.”
