The Civil Aviation Authority‘s consumer protection group will host a series of ‘help days’ around the country next month to advise travel agents about the Air Travel Organiser’s Licence (ATOL) scheme.
The seminars will offer one-to-one consultations and be aimed primarily at those requiring small business ATOLS (SBAs), which provide consumer financial protection for up to 500 air passengers a year.
The ATOL system has underpinned the consumer protection of holidays in the UK since the 1970s, but is threatened by the explosion of unlicensed sales of separate flights and accommodation online.
Surveys suggest many consumers mistakenly believe their online holiday bookings are protected. But only package holiday companies licensed by the CAA offer full protection in the event of a business going bust.
CAA officials will be in London on March 5, Belfast (March 8), Birmingham (March 13), Manchester (March 16), Glasgow (March 22) and Newcastle (March 23).
Agents interested in attending a session should email awareness@atol.org.uk.