Clarification on Atol agency agreements is being sought from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) after agents complained they were being asked to return hard copies to operators.
Demands for signed copies are being made despite CAA guidance saying this is unnecessary and consortia advising members they do not need to sign agreements.
Robert Grinsall, owner of Robert Grinsall Travel, said: “Operators are asking us to do it. I’m refusing – if I’m doing business with you I have an agreement.
“I will send them back only if they send me a stamped addressed envelope.”
Agency agreements were made mandatory under the new Flight-Plus Atol arrangements that came into force in April.
Agent Louise Baker expressed her frustration on the Travel Gossip Facebook page, saying she had used two reams of paper and two ink cartridges for just a third of her agency’s agreements.
Advised by group members that she did not need to return physical copies, she said her boss had told her they had to.
Grinsall posted: “The CAA needs proof only that an operator has sent them, not that they have been signed or returned.”
An Abta spokesman said: “It is important for all operators and agents to have an agency agreement in place; if you have not got one, you must take urgent steps to obtain an agreement.
“Abta expects to issue guidance later this week following clarification provided by the CAA.”