CAR News Archive

Important Notice regarding Heffernan’s Shipping & Tourist Agency Ltd:

Wednesday, 03 October 2018:  Heffernan’s Shipping & Tourist Agency Ltd, trading as Heffernan’s Travel and Easy Travel, is unable to fulfil its obligations to its customers and the Commission for Aviation Regulation has withdrawn its travel agent licence.

The Commission operates a consumer protection scheme and, if you find you are out of pocket, you may be covered by this scheme. We are currently consulting with the travel agency to see how many passengers are affected.

Am I covered by the consumer protection scheme?

You are covered by the consumer protection scheme if you purchased a package from Heffernan’s Shipping & Tourist Agency Ltd (trading as Heffernan’s Travel and Easy Travel) and this package includes travel that commences in Ireland. You are also covered if you bought travel (alone) commencing in Ireland.

Unfortunately, no other customers are covered by the scheme. If you are one of these customers, we advise you to look at the charge back policy of your credit/debit card provider and/or any holiday insurance you may have in place. 

​What if I purchased from Heffernan's Shipping & Tourist Agency Ltd (trading as Heffernan's Travel and Easy Travel) but I have not left Ireland yet?

In the first instance you should check with your airline if your flights are still valid. 

If your flights are still valid, you may need to pay for your accommodation again and claim the original cost your accommodation from the Commission for Aviation Regulation, using the refund claim form below. 

If your flights are not valid, you need to complete the refund claim form below to claim a refund of the full cost of your holiday. 

The REFUND CLAIM FORM should be returned to: Claims Department, The Commission for Aviation Regulation, 3rd Floor, Alexandra House, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2 D02 W773.

What if I was abroad at the time of the collapse of Heffernan's Shipping & Tourist Agency Ltd (trading as Heffernan's Travel and Easy Travel)?

Prior to returning home you may have incurred additional costs. In this case please complete an EXPENSES CLAIM FORM and return it to: Claims Department, The Commission for Aviation Regulation, 3rd Flor Alexandra House, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2 D02 W773.

It is critical that you keep all receipts and include these in your claim.

If you would like to speak to one of our advisors please call +353 1 6611700. Press 1 for Consumer-related queries and then option 2 to reach the Travel Trade Claims Department.

 

ENDS

For media queries please contact Johnny Fallon, johnny@carrcommunications.ie / 085 889 5103

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[i] All tour operators and travel agents trading in Ireland are required to be licensed and bonded by the Commission for Aviation Regulation to sell overseas travel originating in Ireland to destinations outside the Ireland or Northern Ireland. 

The Commission has four main roles under the broad heading of travel trade licensing:

licensing travel agents and tour operators buying and selling overseas travel;
administering a bonding scheme for travel agents and tour operators;
processing claims for refunds and repatriation in the event of a travel agent or tour operator going out of business; and
investigating instances of alleged illegal trading and, when necessary, prosecuting illegal traders.

 

Any entity whose licence has expired can continue to trade to service bookings entered into when licensed and also can carry out non-licensable business.  The entity cannot take on any new business for travel out of Ireland without a licence. The Commission regularly updates its list of current licence holders together with their trade names and licence numbers. More information can be found at www.aviationreg.ie.