Keep Europe’s Skies Open

28 June 2016

TRAINING DATE: 08/08/2019

ITAA support Ryanair’s petition

Dublin, 28th June 2016  The Irish Travel Agents Association (ITAA) has today expressed their support for the Keep Europe’s Skies Open petition, established by Ryanair, that is calling on the European Commission and European Parliament to prevent Europe’s consumers from having their travel plans and holidays cancelled by Air Traffic Control (ATC) union strikes.

 

The petition, which will be presented to the EU Commission and the EU Parliament when it obtains 1million petition signatures, asks that Air Traffic Controllers engage in binding arbitration instead of strikes to resolve their problems, or that when the ATC unions strike, other European ATCs can manage flights over French Airspace.

 

Cormac Meehan, President of the Irish Travel Agents Association commented, “Since 2009, French ATC unions have staged 52 days of strike action, closing the skies over Europe, and causing the cancellation of hundreds of flights. This is impacting millions of tourists who have their holidays disrupted. It is also impacting the tourism of many countries in Europe as tourists don’t travel because of cancelled flights.

 

He continued, “The French ATC Unions should have the right to organise and advance their valid concerns, but their decision to strike during the peak season affects many of our customers who are heading off on their hard-earned holidays. We are supporting this petition by Ryanair to ensure that our customers travel plans are never again subject to the disruption they suffered this summer.”

 

The ITAA are encouraging all travel professionals and holiday makers to sign the Keep Europe’s Skies Open petition at www.keepeuropesskiesopen.com.

 

The ITAA represents Ireland’s travel Industry, bringing together 100 travel agent members and 70 affiliate partners. ITAA members cover over 140 outlets in different towns and cities throughout the Republic of Ireland. All travel agent members are licensed by the Commission for Aviation Regulation and are fully bonded providing full financial protection for their customers.