People booking summer breaks are being warned not to risk being left out of pocket by buying an unprotected air holiday.
The caution from the Civil Aviation Authority comes as travel companies prepare for their busiest day of the year today (Monday).
Only people booking air holidays with Atol protection can be confident they will be protected if their travel company goes bust.
Last year nearly half the people surveyed by the regulator were unsure if their last holiday was Atol-protected or not. But thanks to recent changes to the scheme, anyone booking an Atol-protected air holiday will receive an Atol.
CAA consumer protection director Richard Jackson said: “Millions of people in the UK will be planning their summer getaway this week.
“They can get peace of mind that their holiday is safe whatever happens to their travel company by booking an Atol-protected air holiday.
“And with the new Atol certificate, holidaymakers will know exactly what protection they have.”
Atol ensures holidaymakers can continue their air holiday and return home safely if their travel company collapses while they are away, or get refunds if the company goes bust before they’ve started their trip.
It also means the travel company has to arrange new flights and/or accommodation if something goes wrong with their airline or hotel.
The certificate tells them what is protected, who is protecting it and what to do if something goes wrong.
Anyone wishing to book an Atol-protected air holiday can check if a company provides protection by looking for the Atol logo on their promotional material, or by searching the company’s name at packpeaceofmind.co.uk.
People booking trips not covered by the Atol scheme, such as those without flights or holidays booked directly with airlines, should seek alternative methods of protection such as insurance or paying by credit card, the CAA advises.