Worth the Wait?

At long last the 2021/22 Air Travel Trust (ATT) accounts were published on 12 July 2023. These are 15 months out of date and 377 days late being published.

The 2022/23 ATT accounts were due no later than 30 June 2023, as their Deed of Trust compels, but as yet there is no sign of them.

We have noted three particular concerns:

- The ‘fulfilment charges for accredited bodies’ needs further explanation. We believe there are two schemes in operation one for a £1.75 rebate per passenger and one for a £1.25 rebate, only the latter is referenced in the accounts. If the accredited bodies are taking the entire risk from the ATT (as the note about Truly Travel suggests), why do they not receive the full £2.50 rebate of the APC?

- The CAA charge the ATT an annual admin fee. It is not very clear what services the CAA provide for this fee, but the CAA’s sharply rising charge is very apparent: From £491,188 in 2016, to £1,779,600 in 2022, a more than three fold increase. It is unclear whether the ATT Trustees have questioned the value of this fee.

- The other startling increase in costs concerns the Audit and legal expenses which have risen from £56,520 in 2016 to £333,633 in 2022, nearly 6 times the cost. The ATT accounts are simple and other than the lack of funds in the ATT to cover the risk, little seems to have changed.

Please find attached a more detailed analysis from John O’Dowd, Trailfinders Legal and Regulatory Director.

Review of the 2021-22 ATT accounts.pdf