CAA warn non-ATOL flight sellers of possible legal action
15.05.08
More than 100 travel businesses may be continuing to sell air packages without an ATOL licence, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has said. It has sent out a letter to the firms setting out the legal position and calling on them to apply for a licence.
The CAA says that, despite the the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) issuing guidance in January on what constitutes an air package for the purposes of the Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992, over 100 firms that it believes need a licence do not have ATOL cover.
Since January the CAA has been in discussion with current licence holders and large travel companies that it believes need to hold an ATOL in accordance with the terms of the new guidance. As a result, there has been an increase of more than 400,000 protected seats added to ATOL licences, it has said.
However, the CAA has continued to investigate other travel firms that may need an ATOL. It has now sent out a letter to them setting out the legal position and calling on them to apply for a licence.
Head of ATOL licensing Andy Cohen said: ‘Ultimately the CAA’s duty is to ensure that consumers receive the protection they are entitled to have by law. Consequently the CAA will take prosecution action if it considers that the ATOL Regulations are being breached.’
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