ETRC Company Secretary Barry Goddard has released a statement informing the trade that it is now appropriate to regard the Aviation Security Campaign fund as closed and in the spirit of transparency the ETRC has

provided a breakdown of the contributions and outgoings related to this campaign.

In summary, Goddard says that in September 2006, the ETRC launched an aviation security campaign fund to provide the resources necessary for a major lobby to protect airport retailing, following the stringent security measures introduced as a result of the Heathrow terrorist plot of 10 August 2006.

He said: ‘The many achievements of the campaign – the development and introduction of STEBs, the successful introduction of new EU legislation regarding transfer passengers, etc – have already been well documented. Much remains to be done, but there is no further need for intense lobbying by ETRC.

‘The framework is now in place and it is now up to national Governments to complete the implementation of the agreed procedures. In particular the final achievement of an agreement (albeit one way) between the EU and the US on transfer passengers represents a significant milestone in this process. ETRC believes, therefore, that it is now an appropriate time to regard the global aviation security campaign as closed.’

In term of the campaign, the total income generated from the trade was E.1,253,201 ($1,647,084), with more than 70 companies contributing and individual amounts ranging from between E.985 to E.100,000 ($1,294 to $131,398).

Total campaign expenditure came to E.1,261,551 ($1,657,874) at the end of February 2009, with the vast majority of funds (94%) used to pay ETRC's principal consultants – Hume Brophy – to assist the ETRC President, Secretary General and other ETRC Directors in managing a huge political campaign.

The fee payments covered the work of four executives on representational activity with all relevant official bodies and industry partners, including the preparation of a large number of papers, and all travel costs arising from numerous meetings across Europe and in Canada (ICAO).

The fees also covered the management of all media activity. ETRC acknowledges that the payments made were substantial, but were commensurate with the huge volume of work that needed to be undertaken in a very short space of time. It adds that the major achievements of the campaign would simply not have been possible without the input provided by our consultants.

In addition, ETRC has also recognised the massive additional contribution in kind made by the Dublin Airport Authority/Aer Rianta: ‘Not only did it provide the services of the ETRC President, Frank O'Connell, for the literally hundreds of man-days that he devoted to the campaign over two and a half years, but they also funded his many visits to Canada, Singapore and Brussels, inter alia, over this period.’

In terms of reconciliation, Goddard reported that the campaign fund had a shortfall of E.8,350 ($10,971) at the end of February 2009, but this will be covered by the ETRC's income from its 'normal' activities, and the association will now aim to cover the further limited volume of residual work on aviation security from its own resources, rather than appeal for further campaign funds.

Concluding, Goddard said: ‘ETRC wishes to express its sincere thanks to all who contributed to the campaign, both financially and in kind. Without this generous support, we would simply not have been able to secure the major achievements that the campaign has delivered.’

While Goddard did provide a roll call of companies and their contributions for good order purposes, TREND/The Travel Retail Business does not propose to list them all here because they know who they are and what they contributed. We also acknowledge ETRC's kind comments related to TREND/The Business' contribution to the campaign, although we won't be publishing these either.

Much more tempting is to list all of those who did nothing to help – but who will benefit directly from the successful result funded by others. However, this list would be very much longer than the number of airports/airport authorities (9), airlines (2), duty free/travel retailers (15), suppliers (29) and other trade organisations, trade press and others (15) that actually put their hands in their pockets.