Customers who have paid deposits for packages organised by tour operator Bon Voyage Travel Ltd, which had its licence revoked earlier this week, can apply to the Commission for Aviation Regulation for a refund.
This follows Bon Voyage's failure to supply an aircraft last Sunday, leaving more than 100 passengers stranded for two days in Lourdes. A chartered airline refused to bring the passengers home because it had not been paid by the tour operator.
A commission spokesman said that among other conditions, tour operators had to provide a bond totalling 10 per cent of turnover if they wished to secure a licence. This bond could then be called upon to protect customers. In this case, it was used to provide overnight accommodation and a flight home for the pilgrims on Tuesday.
He said Bon Voyage, which has offices in Dun Laoghaire, still holds a travel agent's licence. Last week, the commission sought an injunction in the High Court to compel Bon Voyage Travel Ltd to cease trading as a travel agent as it had not secured a bond for its business. The company has since obtained a bond and continues to trade.
The main difference between travel agents and tour operators is that the latter generate transport, such as chartering an aircraft. Travel agents are, in effect, retailers of products generated by agencies such as tour operators, airlines, ferries, and car hire companies.
Travel agents have to provide a bond in respect of 4 per cent of turnover.
The spokesman said bonds could be called upon to repatriate customers, to reimburse reasonable expenses necessarily incurred, and to repay deposits. Consumers should apply to the commission for a claim form.
Bon Voyage could not supply a spokesperson yesterday.