Airline passenger group the Air Transport Users Council (AUC) has called for an emergency fund to be set up to protect consumers in the wake of a second airline collapsing in a month. Luton Airport based airline Silverjet has grounded its flights after failing to attract new investment, with Isle of Man base airline EuroManx abruptly stopping flights just three weeks earlier.
Currently there is no guaranteed way of repatriating passengers if they are stranded because their airline has been grounded. Most passengers on scheduled flights are not covered by existing travel industry schemes that only apply to tickets bought from travel agents or tour companies.
The AUC believes rising oil prices will drive a number of airlines into bankruptcy and wants action to be taken now to protect customers. Silverjet has left around 10,000 passengers without flights, whilst Euromanx stranded slightly less. |
