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Post by artisans on Mar 27, 2009 19:16:25 GMT 2
ABTA has asked the government to follow the Dutch government’s move to scrap Air Passenger Duty (APD). In order to support the Dutch economy during recession, plans have been proposed to scrap airport taxes but UK airports continue to levy some of the highest charges in the world.
Of course, the UK government may want residents to stay i at home this year and keep their money in circulation, but the danger is that international flights will reroute and the advantage will be lost.
Steve
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Post by davelinda on Mar 27, 2009 19:47:25 GMT 2
Trust the u.k government to bury their heads in the sand,no matter what they say I am still going away
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Post by petra on Mar 27, 2009 20:56:24 GMT 2
Already TUI holland-Arke fly-Oad Reizen, Hotelplan, Bex Reizen and SRC-Cultuurvakanties, en Neckermann (Thomas Cook) scrapped their airport taxes for Dutch travellers, even those who book now and travel before 1st of july!! Bovenstaande organisaties als TUI etc. hebben de vliegtax al geschrapt, zelfs voor de vakanties die nu geboekt worden met vertrek voor 1/7 a.s.
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Post by artisans on Mar 27, 2009 21:04:07 GMT 2
Hi Petra - does this apply to those who booked many weeks ago?
Steve
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Post by lisydaly on Mar 28, 2009 10:17:13 GMT 2
Not only do we pay exhorbitant taxes here in the Republic, we also pay to leave the country. A charge of 10euro per person if flying from our local airport Knock, which is for the Knock development fund, but everyone in Southern Ireland now has to pay between 2 and 10 euro each, depending on distance being travelled. Add these charges onto what we then have to pay to fly to Corfu from the UK (no direct flights) and it adds a fair chunk onto our holiday - which is no longer viable for us after this year.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 6, 2009 13:26:19 GMT 2
The following news article is taken from the online Greek & English newspaper, "The Kathimerini", dated Saturday, 4th April 2009. At last some movement in trying to get the tourists back to Greece, and indeed Corfu. If it works, then it may hopefully carry on into other years to come, however, it is a lot of money to try and retrieve back on the hopes of more tourists coming back. Not sure if this money will be to our benefit, ie, will be see a reduction on our ticket price. DOUBTFUL. What are your views.
Yeiamas, Chris
Regional airport charges lifted
Airport charges at regional terminals, such as the Corfu airport pictured here, have been temporarily abolished, the government announced yesterday. Development Minister Evripidis Stylianidis and Tourism Development Minister Constantinos Markopoulos declared that the charges have been lifted for the April-September period in order to provide additional incentive for foreign tour operators to choose Greece as a destination. The state is likely to lose 8 million euros in revenues, but Stylianidis estimates this money will return to the Greek market with the higher numbers of foreign tourists. Although there has been no forecast on the measure’s effect, the ministers noted that the lifting of the charges will signify savings of 10 to 12 euros per person for tour operators.[/i]
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Post by artisans on Apr 6, 2009 17:44:26 GMT 2
Hi Chris - this was the same report that I drew my posting from. I feel that it is time for us all to demand a fair deal from travel companies and, rather than expecting nothing from this, we should all demand that the saving is passed on to each & every one of us, after all, how can the measure encourage more visitors if the operators keep it all?
Perhaps somebody will thump the table and let us know how they get on. Also, it would be good to know what is happening in the Netherlands now that the Dutch government have scrapped APD. Perhaps Petra will let us know.
Steve
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Post by artisans on Apr 6, 2009 17:57:36 GMT 2
It seems that on visitor to Corfu has been told by Thomson that they will do nothing about reducing charges UNLESS the customer asks, the impression being that they are trying to keep it under wraps.
EasyJet's Terms & Conditions do make provision for changes in airport taxes and they clearly state that if charges are reduced, customers are entitled to a refund.
One other thing occurs, and that is that tour operators can claim that they have [paid in advance and therefore you will have to pay. This argument does not carry water as nobody can know how many passengers to charge for until the flights have discharged their load. My guess is that the companies are invoiced monthly in arrears by the airport concerned.
Steve
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Post by artisans on Apr 6, 2009 18:06:11 GMT 2
Latest update on airport taxes. EasyJet have acknowledged that they will issue refunds as appropriate when they receive official confirmation through the proper channels. Clearly, they are aware of the newspaper announcement and, quite correctly, they have to wait for approval.
The more people who ring their airlines, the more the tour companies will have to honour this allowance.
Steve
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Post by Ian on Apr 6, 2009 19:39:08 GMT 2
Hi Steve
I have just sent a email to Olympic Holidays.Will keep you updated with there response
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Post by Ian on Apr 7, 2009 18:47:58 GMT 2
Just got a reply to my email and it reads
"Yes there are some fuel supplements that have increased and some that have decreased. However you are liable to the charge at the time of booking which means if it goes down then you still pay the original supplement and that would also be the same if it goes up you would not pay th extra amount."
I get the feeling that they do not understand that that this is a Tax that is fixed by the Greek government.and it will not increase or decrease through the season.
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Post by artisans on Apr 14, 2009 11:30:56 GMT 2
I was beginning to accept that the temporary abolition of airport tax at Corfu was solely to encourage tour operators to send more flights.
This week's 'Athens News', it states quite clearly that 'Tourism Minister Kostas Markopoulos is suspending slot fees at Greek regional airports ...... in a move aimed at providing an incentive to tour operator.' That is it then I thought, but when you read on, it goes on to say 'Markopoulos reckoned tourists would benefit by up to 12 euros per ticket - and, by extension, so would tour operators.'
To me, that seems to say very clearly that tour operators will be 'given'up to 12 euros per ticket for them to pass on to their customers. So, where is the truth? - Surely Mr Markopoulos understands that tour operators have terms and conditions to hide behind and he wouldn't just give the travel companies an extra 8 million euros to add to their bottom line profits? The question is, 'is he being conned as well?'
Steve
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Post by davelinda on Apr 14, 2009 13:38:45 GMT 2
Certainly looks that way Steve,never mind they will surely pass it on next year,WON'T they.
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Post by artisans on Apr 19, 2009 18:59:24 GMT 2
The opening paragraph of an article in today's UK Sunday Times:
"Attempts by the Greek government to revive its struggling tourist trade by suspending landing charges are being thwarted by the refusal of greedy charter carriers to pass on the savings to passengers, according to a tour operator that specialises in the country."
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pete sant
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Roda Riddler 2008
UNITED - NOT ARROGANT - JUST BETTER
Posts: 6,977
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Post by pete sant on Apr 19, 2009 22:41:09 GMT 2
Why are we not surprised ? Pete.
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