CAA gives go-ahead for Midconsort ATOL

THE Civil Aviation Authority has approved Midconsort's group ATOL which will see the consortium contract directly with suppliers – effectively acting as a tour operator. The ATOL is set to be in place two months after the CAA approved the system at Midconsort's recent board meeting.

This means the consortium will act as a principle with its own booking system. Midconsort will effectively become a dynamic packaging operator for its members as it contracts directly with hoteliers and other suppliers. All bookings will be held in a central office system that can be accessed by members. Chief executive Charles Eftichiou said he is delighted the CAA has approved the system, but denied the move was in response to the increasing trend of operators selling direct to the public.

"There is a mix of business. Operators are mixing sales through agents with direct sell and we are mixing operator sales with direct contracting,” he said. "We are not trying to upset the traditional suppliers.”

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