'So, are we just back to square one with airline refunds?'

The 16 European carriers making this commitment include British Airways, easyJet, Ryanair, Norwegian, Air France, Lufthansa and Wizz Air.

On closer scrutiny of this seemingly enlightened deal, one disappointingly reads that ‘the action does not cover flights booked as part of a package.’

So, are we back to square one? Have the airlines forgotten the cooperation there has been during the pandemic to enable the industry to speak with one voice?

Have the airlines conveniently ignored the fact that we too are their clients and that our clients are also their clients? We provide airlines with millions of passengers every year.

We work hard to enable a smooth and efficient service both before and after the flight. We have refunded millions to mutual customers when the airlines have failed to refund us; yet this is the attitude we get now that the panic is over?

Perhaps a spokesperson for this group of airlines can promise to us, the trade, that the same promise made to direct airline clients also applies to clients for whom tour operators and travel agents have booked a package?

Or have I got the wrong end of the stick?

Noel Josephides is director of industry issues at Aito