No assessment has been made of the likely effect on UK airlines or internet ticket booking companies of Regulation (EC) 80/2009 which entered into force on 29 March 2009 and which updated and replaced previous European Community legislation in this field dating from 1989.
Regulation (EC) 80/2009 results from a Commission proposal to simplify and update the Code to safeguard its key principles while increasing its relevance to today’s market conditions. The Commission conducted a public consultation and an impact assessment when it proposed the legislation in 2007.
Regulation (EC) 80/2009 as adopted should enhance the ability of airlines and Computerised Reservation Systems (CRS) to negotiate competitive deals and bring reductions in booking costs or increased travel options which benefit the consumer. The Government considered that full deregulation was not yet appropriate and that safeguards should remain in place to guard against discriminatory behaviour, especially in view of the continued existence of some ownership links between airlines and some CRS.