CAA loses Travel Republic appeal

The Civil Aviation Authority has lost its appeal against the not-guilty ruling in the Travel Republic case.

The Civil Aviation Authority has lost its appeal against the not-guilty ruling in the Travel Republic case.


Announcing the verdict at the High Court yesterday, Lord Justice Elias backed the Magistrates Court’s decision to clear the online travel agency of breaching Atol regulations.


The CAA has said it will attempt to take its case to the Supreme Court.


David Moesli, deputy director of the consumer protection group at the CAA, said: “We have been give certification to go to the Supreme Court, but we don’t know if they will be willing to accept it.


“We are very disappointed that the judge has turned down our appeal at this stage as this is a matter of importance to the general public.”


Travel Republic’s lawyer, Field Fisher Waterhouse partner Peter Stewart, said: “Travel Republic is delighted the CAA appeal has failed, and we are also delighted the CAA has been ordered to pay Travel Republic’s legal costs.”


He said it would take three to four months for the Supereme Court to decide whether to give the CAA leave to appeal.


“They’ve lost, we won, it’s as straightforward as that. They have not got leave to appeal, and it isn’t certain they will get it.”


Earlier this year, the CAA decided not to pursue its appeal against the acquittal of Travel Republic managing director Kane Pirie.