As part of the business session programme at the ITAA Conference in Philadelphia, delegates were given an update on the long-awaited revised Package Travel Directive by Cathy Mannion, Commissioner for Aviation Regulation.
The role of the Commission for Aviation Regulation is to protect the interests of air passengers.
In 2017 the licensable turnover of travel agents in Ireland was €1,176 million, while the figure for tour operators was €81 million, making a total of €1.25 billion. The total of applications received in 2018 was 226, with 223 licenses issued, 45 exited the licensing round, and two agents ceased trading.
Package Travel Directive
The Statutory Instrument to implement the new EU Package Travel Directive was due on 1st July 2018 – but it is still pending. The CAR’s existing Guidance Notes for the industry are based on the Draft SI.
Entities established in Ireland:
- Ex Ireland business: may choose to be licensed but have no obligation to do so.
- Ex other Member States business: no licence required.
- Both ex Ireland and ex other Member State: unlicensed for all or licensed for some and not for the rest.
- For licensed entities, the bond will only cover ex Ireland business and in the event of it being insufficient the TPF (Travellers Protection Fund) will be accessed.
- For unlicensed entities, sufficient evidence of security to be provided, but with no access to the TPF.
Entities established in another Member State:
- No licence
- Sufficient evidence of security
- Choice to end licence or continue until expiration
Entities established outside the EU:
- No licence
- Sufficient evidence of security
- Choice to end licence or continue until expiration
Linked Travel Arrangement Facilitators:
- Sufficient evidence of security (payments received and repatriation)
