Legislation and Ethics for a More Responsible Airlines - Report Example

Legislation and ethics for a more responsible airline Introduction The current competitive world of business does not give a chance to failure. Instead a near perfection if not perfection has become an ingredient of success (Swarbrooke, 1999, pp. 17). Clients require better services and the incorporation of legal systems have exposed businesses to battles and suits. The airline industry is not an exception and all employees are accustomed to information access to change not only their conduct, but also improve customer relations. In the United Kingdom, Legislation is categorised into two main types. Primary legislation originates from the legislative branch (Acts of Parliament) while the secondary legislation constitutes the subordinate powers originating from the executive authority. Conceivably, secondary legislation can extend to bylaws and statutory instruments given by the executive authority to conduct various activities. Acts of parliament fall under the UK Statutes and instruments, which represent a consolidated force of law. The court system in England constitutes five levels ranging from the House of Lords (Supreme Court)/Judicial Committee, Court of Appeal, High Court, Crown/ County courts and the Magistrate courts. Notably, the Supreme Court remains a higher authority in England. The EU plays a significant role in mainstreaming, enlisting and putting into perspective English law (Boella, & Pannett, 1999, pp. 34). It ensures the EC treaty objectives remain in line with changing political and economic landscape while at the same time promoting justice. Member states have an obligation of looking for changes in the European and domestic markets headed by the European Commission. In this light, the EU keeps check of the requirements, ensuring relevancy and promotes harmony within member states. The airline industry operates under various laws and codes. These regulations ensure clients as well as the business environment remains in harmony while ethical issues receive the necessary attention. They include; The International Air Transport Association (IATA) IATA is the successor of International Air Traffic Association formulated in 1945 with over 230 members from 140 nations worldwide. Its primary mission is to organise, represent, and serve the airline industry from different perspectives. Evidently, IATA defines all the airline regulations and codes of conduct (Havel, 2009, pp. 223). In the process, it is responsible for improving streamlining operations to meet advocacy positions and global standards. Indeed, the organization remains one of the outstanding organizations for promoting regular, safe and economical air transport. It fosters quality air commerce while at the same time enhancing research on airline problems (Mead, Sagar & Bampton, 2009, pp. 49). Direct and indirect collaboration of the air industry also remains an important function of the institution. Most importantly, the legal department interprets and provide legal advice regarding statutory issues. From an airline perspective, IATA also passes legal, regulatory issues of broad interest with not only individuals but also other bodies. The Air Travel Operator’s Licence (ATOL) Airline operations in the UK can be very difficult without the ATOL license. The Air Travel Operator’s Licence (ATOL) works various miracles in the airline industry (Dierderiks-Versschoor, 2001, p. 51). The body instituted in 1972 is managed by the Civil Aviation Authority to ensure many firms in the airline industry remain relevant and proactive. It is a financial protection scheme, which puts the interest of airline users ahead of the money making process. Travel and license companies are obligated to meet various regulations before being given the right start offering services. Certainly, this is to ensure clients do not face frustration or discomfort in the process of exploiting various services. In rare scenarios, clients operating under package tours find themselves alone after airline institutions go missing. It is the role of ATOL to relieve customers of this uncertainty and bring back sanity. Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) The travel industry cannot be complete without a fair relationship between the customers and service providers. ABTA is a link to this stalemate and has been doing various activities to ensure customer-airline relationships remain legal and ethical sound. Evidently, ABTA is responsible for providing financial protection to the members on various occasions. It is a united front aimed at promoting equality between the government and clients. Furthermore, the institution gives advice to different airline operators regarding standards of safety and health. ABTA code of conduct that protects the relationship between customers and members contain various regulations. The consumer protection agency ensures a good practice remains in force. High standards guided by the fair terms of service protection remains ABTA priority. Certainly, the institution remains one of the best regulators of the competitive airline industry. Notably, these protective urgencies act under certain laws and regulations that keep sanity at the airline industry. Indeed without these airline and protective agencies, there would be no ethical and novelty (Partington, 2003, pp. 67). Apart from the laws and codes that protect both service receivers and providers, there are various historical protocols and conventions. Evidently, this is in line with growth and development initiatives. Warsaw Convention (1929) Warsaw Convention of 1929 remains one of the international conventions responsible for the contemporary sanity in the flight industry. It regulates liability for people, carriage and goods, which had been a problem to the airline industry before ratification. The convention marked a change for the flight industry ensuring that people received great services. In as much as it has been amended through different conventions in The Hague and Montreal, the objectives play a key role in shaping the airline industry. Through the convention, a number of objectives and rules came into light. For example, Warsaw Convention allows issuance of passenger tickets and baggage checks for every luggage on transit. Apart from a smooth transition that the convention brought forth for luggage clearance, claims were also given priority. For instance, to prevent orthodox claims a limit of two years got instituted including the special drawing rights in case of personal injury. Tokyo Convention (1963) Tokyo Convention of 1963 revolved around international air navigation and inflight offenses as well as different acts committed during flights. Notably, short or long flights have various characteristics and people often tend to behave differently to meet the uncertainty (Edexcel, 2011, pp. 33). As such, any action that might jeopardize the safety of the entire aircraft must be taken into consideration. Tokyo convention outlines a number of regulations responsible for protecting not only people in the aircraft but also the aircraft. The convention bases action on penal law and good discipline within flight. It also outlines a jurisdiction of contracting states, which ensures member states territorial offenses get the right attention through its chapter four. In this respect, the convention ensures safety and regulation of airline users. Denied Boarding Compensating Scheme European Union Regulation (EC No 261/2004) Standards service provision in the airline industry requires correct timing and efficiency. Hitches and delays in such a case require compensation or ethical response, which ensures clients do not feel the inconvenience. Denied Boarding Compensating Scheme European Union Regulation (EC No 261/2004) ensures airline providers do not cause unnecessary delays or risks. It specifies common rules regarding compensation on cancellation or denied boarding during flights. From this perspective, it is a protective initiative that ensures airline providers remain responsible for their action. In conclusion, the airline industry remains one of the profitable but complicated business areas. It is surrounded by legal obligations, financial uncertainties and changing customer preferences. The United Kingdom has a five level legislation system that referees industrial operations and client expectations. Apart from the court system, the airline industry also receives insight from different codes of conduct. The regulations formulated by bodies such as IATA, ATOL and ABTA ensure a level playing field for not only flight institutions, but also clients. Historically, a series of conventions have been held to streamline the airline industry. Notably, this includes the EC No 261/2004, Tokyo and Warsaw Convention. These conventions brought up regulations, set objectives and necessitated sanity in the airline industry. In essence, the airline industry has had a series of transformations aimed at reforming relationships. References Boella, M.& Pannett,S ., 1999, Principles of Hospitality Law, London: Continuum. Dierderiks-Versschoor, I.H., 2001, An Introduction to Air Law, The Hague: Kulwer Law International. Edexcel, 2011, BTEC level 4 HNC and Level 5 HND in Travel and Tourism Management Study Guide, Harlow: Pearson. Havel, B. F., 2009, Beyond open skies: a new regime for international aviation, Austin, Kluwer Law International. Mead, L., Sagar, D. & Bampton, K., 2009, Fundamentals of ethics, Corporate Governance and Business Law. Oxford: CIMA, Partington, M., 2003, Introduction to the English Legal System, Oxford: Oxford: OUP. Swarbrooke, J., 1999, Sustainable tourism management, Wallingford: CABI Read More