It cited last year’s collapse of EUjet as an example of what could go wrong.

Registered in The Republic of Ireland

The industry’s regulator, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), said it could cost passengers up to £200 to return home to Britain in the wake of such an event.

The CAA had no regulatory oversight iro EUJet, this was the responsibility of the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA).

The committee said 90% of travel insurance policies failed to cover air carrier insolvency

Then it is up to the customer to buy a policy which provides adequate cover. If they don’t want to pay for it then they take the risk.

the number protected by ATOL, which provides financial protection for some air travel, is “in free fall”.

ATOL – Air Tour Operator’s Licence, not generally held by airlines anyway. The demise of ATOL is in line with the reduction of the Inclusive Tour Operators’ proportion of the total leisure travel market. If you want the protection that an ATOL confers then you pay for it in the price.

The bottom line is that if you want to travel independently and make your own arrangements and your choice of carrier is “Real Cheap Airways” registered in Ruritania then you must accept the element of risk involved. If you don’t like the risk then insure against it or book with BA, DLH, Air France bmi, Easy etc. Why should the passengers of these companies underwrite “Real Cheap Airways” punters?

Freedom of choice implies a responsibility to look after yourself, caveat emptor.

exmpa