Things are looking up for airline passengers, who could soon pay less for their airfares after MEPs approved a report written by Conservative MEP Timothy Kirkhope today in the European Parliament.
Before the report was passed however, there was a last ditch attempt by Labour to undermine it and push the legislation back to committee. This came despite an agreement having already been reached at committee stage with all the major parliament groups as well as with both the council and the commission. If the Labour group had been successful in pushing the proposals back, it would ultimately have been the consumer that lost out.
The proposed EU regulation will create a code of conduct for Computerised Reservation Systems (CRS) - the system used by high street and online travel agents to make around sixty percent of airline bookings. The code will ensure consumers are given greater choice and clearer information when booking their flights, which it is believed will create stronger competition and - according to the European Commission - could reduce ticket prices by as much as ten percent.
Timothy was also instrumental in amending the EU's initial proposal to ensure an alternative environmentally friendly train route is offered to anyone seeking short haul flights.
Timothy Kirkhope, Conservative Transport Spokesman in the European Parliament, said:
"The current CRS system allows the airlines that have shares in them to favour their own companies, which distorts competition and drives up prices.
"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.
"Consumers will be able to make far better informed decisions when they book their tickets. This system gives consumers more options - over the carrier they wish to use, and whether they wish to opt for a more environmentally-friendly alternative to flying."