Airtours

EDM number 443 in 1996-97, proposed by Ann Clwyd on 23/01/1997.

That this House notes with concern the criticisms made of various tour operators, including Airtours, in the January issue of Holiday Which; notes that one in nine of the respondents who went on Airtours' long-haul holidays would definitely not recomment a friend to do the same; believes that the experiences of members of the public travelling to Australia from Manchester with Airtours on 24th December are not untypical, in that the flight was over three hours late leaving Manchester and over 24 hours late leaving Sydney - both delays due to technical difficulties; notes that other passengers reported that three times in two weeks the same flight had been delayed, also for technical reasons; is alarmed that, according to a member of Airtours' staff, the turn-around of aircraft is so rapid that maintenance is not as it should be; calls on the regulating authority and the Government to ensure that the comfort and safety of passengers is paramount; and further notes that despite these criticisms, Airtours' ground and air staff in the United Kingdom and abroad were always courteous and helpful and that the accommodation provided whilst the aircraft was inoperative was of a good standard.

This motion has been signed by a total of 31 MPs.