Air Travellers To Benefit from Kirkhope Report
Friday, April 4th 2008
Brussels -- Today, about 60% of airline bookings are still carried out using so-called Computerised Reservation Systems (CRS) in the EU. Airlines' own websites have made substantial inroads in recent roads, but as airlines hold stakes in CRSs the threat exists that they will engage in competitive abuses in both the airline distribution sectors.
The present Code of Conduct allows airlines who own CRSs to favour their own bookings, thereby distorting the market in the current ticket distribution regime. A draft report by Timothy Kirkhope, Conservative Spokesman on Transport and Tourism, which seeks to open up the computer booking system, is a major step forward in protecting European consumers from higher airfares.
Timothy said:
"It is time to put an end to this and to reinforce competition in the sector: airlines and CRSs should be able to freely negotiate the conditions of the distribution of air services via these systems. The systems should compete on price and on service quality.
"Stakeholders have however explained that safeguards are still necessary: mainly to ensure fair competition in the presence of "parent carriers", to ensure the provision of neutral CRS displays and to guarantee the protection of personal data. We must ensure that flight information provided by airlines to CRSs and Travel Agents is timely and comprehensive, so that consumers are given the fairest and fullest possible choice available."
ENDS
