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14-07-10
Statement re 1800 Hotels
Travel agents on standby to assist holidaymakers affected by bankruptcy proceedings at 1800Hotels - ITAA.
“Minister must update our travel - consumer law - it was written before the internet was invented!”
Wednesday 14 July 2010. Customers who have made bookings with the website 1800 Hotels which on Tuesday night announced it was involved in bankruptcy proceedings should ask a licensed travel agent to help them confirm / rebook their accommodation according to Irish Travel Agents Association (ITAA) CEO, Simon Nugent.
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18-05-10
Revised Ash Restrictions Welcome
The ITAA welcomes news from the Irish Aviation Authority overnight that restrictions on flights due to ash concern are to be reduced, while safety is maintained as the main priority. Tighter definitions agreed by aviation authorities, airlines and aircraft manufacturers are to be introduced at midday today (Tuesday 18th May) See www.iaa.ie for more details.
ITAA Chief Executive, Simon Nugent said "We look forward to confirmation from Irish airlines that their planes comply with the newly announced standards and that they will be able to fly in much of the airspace that has been briefly closed recently due to ash. Then we can set about reassuring consumers that the likely impact of volcanic ash on summer plans is minimal."
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17-05-10
Latest ASH Update from IAA
Monday 17th May 2010: Dublin airport will be open from 1200 hours local today, as the volcanic ash cloud moves off to the East. Donegal airport will open at 1400 hours local, Sligo airport will open at 1000 hours local and all other airports are open until further notice.
Please contact your travel agent for more information.
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13-05-10
Latest ASH Update from IAA
Wednesday 12th May 2010: All Irish airports will remain open until further notice.
The IAA will make a statement and update the website if any volcanic ash threat to Irish airspace emerges today, or in the coming days.
Passengers planning to travel by air over the coming days are advised to regularly check their airline websites and the IAA website and your local ITAA Travel Agent in advance of going to the airport. Passengers should also check the status of the airports they are travelling to.
Click here for ASH Update.
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18-04-10
Travel agents urge hoteliers to play fair during Ash crisis
Sunday 18 April. The Irish Travel Agents Association (ITAA) said this afternoon that it expects hoteliers to be reasonable about both room prices and refunds while the ban on flights continues.
ITAA Chief Executive Simon Nugent said “We are seeing stories in the media about hotels inflating the prices they are charging travellers stranded abroad but this is not a problem facing our clients. We have long term relationships with the hotels where our people stay. We simply would not tolerate opportunistic price gouging from our suppliers. If they tried to jack up their prices we would never send clients their way again.
“In the same way, we are working to ensure that where our clients can not travel at present, that the hotels and other suppliers such as golf courses give either a full refund or a credit to be used when the trip is rescheduled.
Mr Nugent added that travel agents have been working throughout the weekend and are on call 24/7 at present – trouble shooting problems for clients, sorting out cancellations and refunds, being on standby to rebook flights, providing customers with updates and advice by mobile phone and reassuring concerned relatives.
“This is an unprecedented event and is the source of huge anxiety for many of our customers. We are doing what we can to minimise that and the feedback is that our clients are very grateful for that.
For further information
Simon Nugent, Chief Executive, Irish Travel Agents Association 086 2459679
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16-04-10
Travel Agents working round the clock to deal with impact of Ash
Travel Agents working round the clock to deal with impact of Ash.
“We’re here 24/7 to find solutions for our clients” – Dawson
Friday, 16th April 2010. Amid the chaos caused by volcanic ash closing Irish Air Space, and uncertainty surrounding its reopening, ITAA report that Travel Agents around the country are working round the clock to find solutions for their clients.
“If you ever want to distinguish between booking online and with an agent – then this is it” Says Pat Dawson, ITAA President, “Our members are proactively working with clients 24/7, many opening over the weekend and this is all part of the service and back up we offer for free”
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15-04-10
Volcanic ash forces cancellation of flights. Travel Agents hasten to solve customers' problems.
Thursday 15 April, Commenting on the closure of Irish Air Space due to Volcanic Ash, ITAA CEO Simon Nugent, said "Travel agents have been scrambling since early this morning to revise travel arrangements for both business and leisure customers affected by the dispute. Airlines have been as supportive as possible given the uncertainty as to when the air will clear and we are optimistic that peoples travel plans will be disrupted as little as possible. Those who are at a loss - having missed connections or incurred other costs should check their travel insurance policies."
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23-03-10
Passport office talks must start this morning - ITAA
- Backlog fiasco causing needless anxiety to many thousands of citizens
- Practical implications of dispute are enormous.
- Urges Ryanair to waive passport only acceptable ID rule for UK flights.
Tuesday 23 March 2010 ITAA CEO, Simon Nugent this morning called for immediate action by Passport office management and CPSU representatives to make a plan and start clearing the backlog of applications currently building up at an appalling pace.
“This practical problem has to be separated out from the wider issue of public sector pay negotiations. The crisis is hardly what the passport office staff (who normally provide an excellent service) intended when they commenced their work to rule. It simply has to be solved.
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