Abta insists there is “broad agreement” among industry bodies on the need to expand Atol financial protection to airlines, but to exclude business travel.
The association said the submissions of major travel groups to a Department for Transport (DfT) consultation reveal a common stance on the key issues.
Abta reported a comparison of its own position with those of Advantage Travel Centres, the Association of Airline Consolidators, the Guild of Travel Management Companies (GTMC), the Scottish Passenger Agents Association (SPAA) and the government advisory body on consumer protection ATIPAC identified agreement on the following:
• Airlines should be included in the Atol scheme
• Business travel should be exempted
• The loophole on agent for the consumer sales should be closed
• Micro businesses should not be excluded
• Broad support for the proposed Atol Certificate and Agency Agreements, but concerns about implementation
• Concern a January 1 deadline is unrealistic.
Abta chief executive Mark Tanzer said: “It is clear from industry submissions that the travel sector wants airlines in and business travel out.
“There is considerable agreement that the Atol reforms need to be updated but that the reforms, as proposed, do not necessarily deliver on that intention.”
Tanzer said: “Abta has called for an extension of consumer protection for many years and although we are pleased the government is taking action on reform we have serious concerns that, if not modified, the proposals may reduce consumer protection and damage travel businesses.”
Abta chairman John McEwan, the chief executive of Advantage, added: “Atol reform will only be successful if airlines are brought into the scheme. I’m pleased there is support from trade bodies like the GTMC for Abta’s proposals to exclude business travel arrangements.”
The DfT’s consultation on reform closed last week. The government is expected to report back in October.