newstodate.aero
Aug 12, 2010 (newstodate): The Icelandic charter carrier Primera Air is fighting back on issues from the aftermath of the demise of a Swedish tour operator that left passengers stranded in Iraq and Lebanon.
-We have indeed had some interesting developments following Flyhome's bankruptcy as there have been claims from the Swedish authorities that Primera Air is responsible for carrying the passengers of Flyhome back to Sweden, says Jon Karl Olafsson, Primera Air CEO.
-Flyhome was what has been referred to as a Flight Arranger. This is unfortunately a gray area as can clearly been seen on a booklet issued by Luftfartsverket, called "Flybolag som inte flyger", after the collapse of Goodjet, Gotlandsflyg and other companies that were actually virtual airlines.
-This is exactly the same issue as Flyhome, and nothing has been changed in Sweden to correct this "grey" area. Flyhome sold tickets on their web page in their name only, and according to their own conditions. Primera Air never sold any tickets directly to the consumer/passenger, and we do not have any information about who booked the flights, their travel dates, nor contact information.
-The EU regulations refer to services which passengers have paid, and the airlines are obliged to provide the services sold by them. As we have not sold any tickets we cannot be held responsible for return flights.
-This is of course very unfortunate for the customers, and it is clear, that the regulations will have to be changed to cover such cases. In Denmark rules were changed on January 1, 2010, and now Flight Arrangers have to be a part of the same travel fund which covers packages sold by tour operators - inclusive tours.
-It is clear that the Swedish authorities are still claiming a different opinion. They have, however, not been able to provide any clear arguments, and on their website they now agree that this is a rather complicated legal issue.
-I sincerely hope this will lead to a clearer stand on how Flight Arrangers will be able to operate in the future. This is critical for the consumer, but also for airlines like Primera Air, which first and foremost charter aircraft - even on flight-by-flight basis like in this case, says Mr Olafsson.
-We have indeed had some interesting developments following Flyhome's bankruptcy as there have been claims from the Swedish authorities that Primera Air is responsible for carrying the passengers of Flyhome back to Sweden, says Jon Karl Olafsson, Primera Air CEO.
-Flyhome was what has been referred to as a Flight Arranger. This is unfortunately a gray area as can clearly been seen on a booklet issued by Luftfartsverket, called "Flybolag som inte flyger", after the collapse of Goodjet, Gotlandsflyg and other companies that were actually virtual airlines.
-This is exactly the same issue as Flyhome, and nothing has been changed in Sweden to correct this "grey" area. Flyhome sold tickets on their web page in their name only, and according to their own conditions. Primera Air never sold any tickets directly to the consumer/passenger, and we do not have any information about who booked the flights, their travel dates, nor contact information.
-The EU regulations refer to services which passengers have paid, and the airlines are obliged to provide the services sold by them. As we have not sold any tickets we cannot be held responsible for return flights.
-This is of course very unfortunate for the customers, and it is clear, that the regulations will have to be changed to cover such cases. In Denmark rules were changed on January 1, 2010, and now Flight Arrangers have to be a part of the same travel fund which covers packages sold by tour operators - inclusive tours.
-It is clear that the Swedish authorities are still claiming a different opinion. They have, however, not been able to provide any clear arguments, and on their website they now agree that this is a rather complicated legal issue.
-I sincerely hope this will lead to a clearer stand on how Flight Arrangers will be able to operate in the future. This is critical for the consumer, but also for airlines like Primera Air, which first and foremost charter aircraft - even on flight-by-flight basis like in this case, says Mr Olafsson.