After the summer break, the ECTAA (European Association of Travel Agencies and Tour Operators) returns to work.
In its briefcase, several dossiers to monitor in the coming months. One of the first tasks concerns the implementation of the new directive on package travel.
The text has now crossed the European stage and enters its phase of transposition in the Member States. The European Commission specifies that countries have 28 months to transpose the new rules into their national law, before a six-month entry into force later.
To read: CEI, refunds, packages… what the European directive officially published changes!
The text must thus be transposed no later than September 29, 2028 to enter into force on March 29, 2029.
In its briefcase, several dossiers to monitor in the coming months. One of the first tasks concerns the implementation of the new directive on package travel.
The text has now crossed the European stage and enters its phase of transposition in the Member States. The European Commission specifies that countries have 28 months to transpose the new rules into their national law, before a six-month entry into force later.
To read: CEI, refunds, packages… what the European directive officially published changes!
The text must thus be transposed no later than September 29, 2028 to enter into force on March 29, 2029.
Package Travel Directive: Avoiding Over-Transposition
« We are in the transition phase for implementation, for transposition », explains Eric Drésin, secretary-general of the European association.The ECTAA works with its national professional associations to monitor how the text will be rolled out in each country. « We start with the less hot dossiers», he summarizes, with one objective: to prevent compromises reached at the European level from being questioned at the national level.
If the new directive ultimately does not impose a general limitation on prepayments, member states still have limited room for maneuver.
« There is no obligation to limit prepayments, it’s clear, and we’ve managed to rule that out », recalls Eric Drésin. « But if the member states want, they can. » Vigilance is therefore required to avoid the risk of over-transposition. « There, we really want to tighten the screws to avoid this situation. »
The first country to tackle the transposition is Finland, where the ECTAA is expected as early as next week.
Air Passenger Rights: the problem of Intermediation Fees
Another particularly sensitive dossier: the revision of air passenger rights. A political agreement was reached this summer on revising the European framework. The European Commission indicates that the new regime must still be formally adopted and published before it applies, with a delay of 12 months after its publication.
For travel agencies and other intermediaries, one point crystallizes the concerns: refunds in the event of a flight cancellation.
« When a flight is canceled the travel agency will be obliged to reimburse its intermediary fees », explains Eric Drésin. And on this point, the legislative fight is now over: «There is nothing more we can do in the legislation. »
The ECTAA therefore intends to shift the debate to the realm of B2B relations.
The European association has denounced the «disproportionate impact» of these new rules on independent intermediaries and argues that intermediary fees remunerate a service distinct from that of the carrier.
For travel agencies and other intermediaries, one point crystallizes the concerns: refunds in the event of a flight cancellation.
« When a flight is canceled the travel agency will be obliged to reimburse its intermediary fees », explains Eric Drésin. And on this point, the legislative fight is now over: «There is nothing more we can do in the legislation. »
The ECTAA therefore intends to shift the debate to the realm of B2B relations.
The European association has denounced the «disproportionate impact» of these new rules on independent intermediaries and argues that intermediary fees remunerate a service distinct from that of the carrier.
Passenger Package : the dossier to watch closely
But the dossier that could monopolize a large part of the European agenda in the coming months is undoubtedly the Passenger Package, presented in May last.
The package includes three legislative proposals dedicated notably to rail ticketing, to multimodal mobility services (MDMS) and to railway passenger rights. The objective stated by Brussels is to enable travelers to compare and more easily purchase journeys that combine several operators (rail, road, sea), with a single ticket and enhanced rights throughout the entire trip.
In principle, ECTAA is supportive of this evolution. But Eric Drésin points to several difficulties.
The first concerns the absence of air travel in a device presented as multimodal. « We must integrate air transport into this legislative package so that we can have a clearly multimodal and relevant offer for customers », he says.
The organization believes that the principles of access that are fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory (FRAND) should not be limited to rail but should apply to all transport sectors whenever dominant operators impose unfair conditions on their business partners.
The package includes three legislative proposals dedicated notably to rail ticketing, to multimodal mobility services (MDMS) and to railway passenger rights. The objective stated by Brussels is to enable travelers to compare and more easily purchase journeys that combine several operators (rail, road, sea), with a single ticket and enhanced rights throughout the entire trip.
In principle, ECTAA is supportive of this evolution. But Eric Drésin points to several difficulties.
The first concerns the absence of air travel in a device presented as multimodal. « We must integrate air transport into this legislative package so that we can have a clearly multimodal and relevant offer for customers », he says.
The organization believes that the principles of access that are fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory (FRAND) should not be limited to rail but should apply to all transport sectors whenever dominant operators impose unfair conditions on their business partners.
Sustainability: a topic that could resurface?
Finally, another topic is expected to return to the foreground: sustainability.
After having occupied an important place in sector debates in the post-Covid years, the issue seemed to have faded from view. For Eric Drésin, the events of this summer could however revive the discussions.
« The question of sustainable travel, of sustainability in our sector, had somewhat disappeared from the news », he notes. But «this summer raised so many questions that it will come back onto the table ».
According to him, national associations could ask the ECTAA to act more on this topic…
After having occupied an important place in sector debates in the post-Covid years, the issue seemed to have faded from view. For Eric Drésin, the events of this summer could however revive the discussions.
« The question of sustainable travel, of sustainability in our sector, had somewhat disappeared from the news », he notes. But «this summer raised so many questions that it will come back onto the table ».
According to him, national associations could ask the ECTAA to act more on this topic…
