The ATAB, Air Travel advisory Bureau will help co-ordinate legal claims against UK airlines that have not refunded Air Passenger Duty (APD) tax to passengers who have booked tickets but not flown.
Since the tax was first introduced in 1994, ATAB estimates that some airlines have withheld tens of millions of pounds from their customers.
Over the past few months ATAB has been closely monitoring how different airlines behave when it comes to APD refunds.
ATAB has now joined forces with London law firm Barker Gillette LLP in preparing for action. Partner Steven Barker said “Our primary aim will be to ensure that all claims are valid and properly made out. We hope and expect that Airlines will co-operate with us in agreeing and refunding valid claims and that claimants need only seek the assistance of the Courts in respect of legal issues that might not be agreed”.
The original Air Travel Advisory Bureau (ATAB) was established in 1982 by Tony White. It was one of the first flight comparison organisations.