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Post by artisans on Apr 1, 2009 18:57:36 GMT 2
UK consumer group 'Which' is calling on airlines to scrap administration charges relating to airport taxes and other costs for passengers having to cancel flights. Companies such as Thomson were charging £25 per transaction. The only airline not to levy unreasonable charges are easyJet and 'Which' has called upon all other airlines to follow their example. EasyJet flights to Corfu start tomorrow from London Gatwick and from May they will also fly from Bristol & Manchester. To visit their site, click on:
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 1, 2009 19:21:37 GMT 2
It would not only help passengers, but surely it would help Tour Operators and Airlines also. Not wishing to have a price war, but if other airlines begin to remove the said taxes etc, then more will fly with them subject to the right destinations. Lets hope some heed is taken on this from "Which".
Yeiamas, Chris
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Post by artisans on Apr 4, 2009 8:43:18 GMT 2
ABTA is petitioning the UK Treasury to reduce or remove APD. If you want to add your support to this move, which would effectively reduce the cost of all flights from the UK, you can do so by adding your name to the petition. Deadline for signing is the 19th April 2009!
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Post by artisans on Apr 4, 2009 18:01:41 GMT 2
I have been told today that Corfu is also considering reducing airport duty. Let us hope that they go ahead, and soon.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 4, 2009 18:45:42 GMT 2
I have appended my signature to the No10 Petition. A large number have done the same.
I remember reading one of the many articles from the Corfu Today online newspaper regarding the matter of the Greek Tourist Board ridding airports such as Corfu of Taxes. The article was far too long to publish on the forums, but it was mentioned, as part of the improve the tourist strategy. Lets hope something comes of it.
Yeiamas, Chris
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Post by artisans on Apr 4, 2009 18:57:22 GMT 2
One slight correction to the earlier posting - ABTA is supporting the petition to reduce APD which is actually being promoted by the Travel Trade Gazette.
Steve
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Post by artisans on Apr 5, 2009 9:45:18 GMT 2
It was reported yesterday in the Greek national press that airport charges at Corfu's Kapodistrias airport have been temporarily abolished. The government's Tourism Development Minister, Kostas Markopoulos, said that charges have been lifted for the period from April to September and the savings for tour operators will amount to 10 - 12 euros per person carried. Whether this is for each leg of the journey is unclear at this time.
How this will filter down to holidaymakers is unsure, but it would seem reasonable to demand from tour operators with immediate effect, a reduction on all quoted prices. This reduction is for the benefit of visitors to Corfu and is not being introduced to increase operator's profits.
All we need now is to get the UK government to follow suit.
Steve
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pete sant
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Post by pete sant on Apr 5, 2009 12:38:40 GMT 2
Great news if the reduction is passed on, but i fear the airlines & tour companies will look upon it as a good deal for them & not for the weary traveler, i hope I'm wrong but i won't hold my breath. Pete.
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Post by artisans on Apr 5, 2009 13:50:39 GMT 2
You may be right, Pete, and the tour operators may try to wrap it up so that you can't see what they are doing. Why don't you try to get a retrospective reduction on your flight and see what happens. The measures are effective from April, but we don't know when in April. As the decision is tourism based and will cost the Greek government a lot of money, I suspect it will only apply the Charter flights in season.
How easyJet will be affected is not clear, with them running weekly flights already and bringing visitors to island already. You could argue that Olympic and Aegean are domestic flights, being routed through Athens, but easyJet are in a category of their own.
Steve
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pete sant
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Post by pete sant on Apr 5, 2009 19:46:48 GMT 2
Have just got off the phone to THOMAS COOK and asked if they would be passing the reduction on - guess what - a charming lady called Alison did not have a clue what i was talking about - she put me on hold while she "asked around the office" - guess what - no one else knew anything either - all in all a waste of a phone call - am i surprised ? - no. Pete.
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Post by artisans on Apr 5, 2009 21:01:54 GMT 2
Do you make your telephone calls on Skype, Pete? - I think you will need to on this one. In fairness, the announcement was only made yesterday and I guess that 'decision-makers' are all off enjoying the sun. It may take a few days to filter down to the workers, so don't give up. This is not a measure to improve company profits, it is intended for you, the visitors to Greece.
Steve
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Post by artisans on Apr 6, 2009 9:45:49 GMT 2
It appears that the reason for ABTA supporting the Travel Trade Gazette's petition to scrap or amend air passenger duty is that Gordon Brown's government is actually proposing to increase the charges. Every country flown to will be 'banded' according to the distance of that country's capital city from London. Under the proposals, a family of four flying to the Caribbean will now pay £300 in APD and, apart from the UK, the country that benefits most from the proposals is - the US!! This would seem to be a very divisive move by the government as those who can afford it will continue to fly and those who struggle will be priced out of the market. If you object to this move, then you must sign the online petition without delay as the deadline is 19th April.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 6, 2009 13:09:51 GMT 2
Having signed the petition, and have got many others to do the same, I wonder, reading your last post Steve if this is not another Gordon Brown issue to fill the void in the financial hole he has left everyone. I have noticed today watching one of the many money programmes that he has added the 2p onto fuel, increased TV licences again, BT has increased their rental charges, groceries are up by 23%, Water Bills are up by 10%, and more.
Before the recession when the money hole was full, no one could get a penny to do anything. Now that he has given out all the money to save wasting banks and businesses, we are the ones, without increases in salaries or pensions, to refill this hole with all these stealth taxes and rises.
Personally if I had the courage, not only would I not pay APD, I would boycott the lot. I could go on and on, but I wont. Probably another thread sometime.
Should get rid of Gordon Brown and Co, and keep the APD, it would be cheaper.
Yeiamas, Chris
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Post by spanisheyes on Apr 6, 2009 19:49:29 GMT 2
I have E- mailed First Choice (who i booked with) on this matter asking them if they are going remburse me as i have already paid for my holiday in full.
Looking forward to a reply ;D
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Post by artisans on Apr 8, 2009 18:40:20 GMT 2
ABTA are currently pursuing the UK Chancellor, Alistair Darling, to ask the government to reduce the tax burden on both outbound and inbound tourism to help stimulate demand. They are also asking the Chancellor to scrap Air Passenger Duty completely or, at least, cancel the planned increases in November. In the wake of the XL failure last year, ABTA are asking for a scheme to cover air travellers and for more effective action on the part of the government in the event of the collapse of an operator.
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