Comment: Good news this week comes in threes

I’m pleased we can share three pieces of good news this week. A Court of Appeal ruling last month was significant in overturning a High Court decision which created uncertainty about when a package holiday contract is created and potentially opened the way to a flood of refund claims.

Media reporting of the Appeal Court judgment has until now missed what was most important about it and the reason the appeal was brought by Reader Offers. I’m glad we can correct the record.

Second, the Department for Transport has agreed an extension of the deadline for airports to install 3D scanners for security screening of cabin baggage. The scanners remove the need for restrictions on liquids and for passengers to remove liquids and laptops from carry?on bags.

This may not seem so positive, but it removes uncertainty about the rules at airports this summer amid fears that many passengers would head on holiday expecting the rules to no longer apply, only to find at security that they do, resulting in delays.

Airports and airlines had grown increasingly alarmed at the June 1 deadline for installing the scanners and removing the restrictions, announced in December 2022. So, the clarity is welcome.

Third, the March Atol renewals saw the number of Atol holders rise year on year to 1,630, reflecting the health of the sector. However, we also note concerns that some families may be holding off booking overseas holidays while waiting for a late deal or perhaps preparing to skip a year. We will continue to monitor the market closely.