Page 10 - 373067 LP258570 Travel Magazine A4 88pp Issue 59 Feb23 PROOF.pdf

Hello and welcome everyone to my latest update on our SPAA.
At the time of writing this article, it has just been announced of the demise, again, of Flybe and confirmation that they have officially ceased trading.
A shattering piece of news for its employees, customers and the trade alike. Most immediately affected were 2,500 passengers who were due to fly on the day of the announcement and longer term, there were 75,000 booked passengers who would be affected.
Once again the travel trade stepped up to the mark and ensured that those who were booked were sourced alternative arrangements and given appropriate advice. Those unfortunately who booked direct were not so well advised and most ultimately sought out an agent to iron out a solution.
Where would the travelling public be without repeatedly relying on travel agents in times of crisis like these?
There is surely a question around whether licences should have been given to an airline who had already failed and of course, this collapse raises the question once again about the fact that the Government has still not pursued the Insolvency Bill but again put it on the back burner.
There is however some positive news for the employees who were made redundant that other carriers had vacancies and were “fast tracking” applications. Let’s hope that they
all get suitable roles at the earliest opportunity.
The wider question raised with Flybe’s demise is the ongoing debate with regards to domestic travel within
the UK and its ongoing validity against surface transportation and sustainability issues.
Of course there will always be domestic travel within the UK, some routes providing essential life line services and not connectable easily by surface transportation, but there will be more and more of a focus on the bigger picture of flying in general and the real viability in some route cases.
The SPAA continues to engage with multiple organisations focused on sustainability with airlines and airports etc. and contribute to the discussion on maximising the aviation
value proposition.
THE VOICE OF TRAVEL IN SCOTLAND
The CAA call for evidence is out and responses are due back by 24th March. The SPAA are reviewing and collating members’ feedback and it will be a hot topic of discussion at future council meetings. The implications for some current business models are potentially game changing and albeit a definite work in progress, there may well be future changes in the way pipeline funds and bonding etc. are operated.
Meanwhile in the leisure sector, members on the high street and homeworkers are reporting a really good start to the year with bookings coming in at speed and it would appear that one of the last things that the general public are prepared to give up on is their holiday - even in these hard economic times and we all hope that this will continue.
I hope you all have received your invitation for the SPAA Dinner and booked your place. It’s always an interesting and productive evening to meet industry peers, network and of course, listen to speeches from inside and outside travel, with this year being no exception where we welcome Willie Walsh – IATA Director General and Ruth Davidson, Baroness Davidson
of Lundin Links, former leader of the Scottish Conservatives and is currently a Times Radio presenter.
It promises to be another great night and I hope to see you all there.
Take care and stay safe
Mike Tibbert SPAA President
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FEBRUARY 2023