CAA predicts January bookings to soar by more than 4%

The Civil Aviation Authority is urging consumers to check for Atol protection as today (January 3) – dubbed Sunshine Saturday – is expected to be the busiest day of the year for bookings.

The regulator, which runs the Atol financial protection scheme, advises holidaymakers to “read the small print on bargain holiday deals”.

Last January, 4.3 million people booked Atol-protected holidays, with even higher numbers expected in coming weeks.

If trends continue as projected, the CAA estimates 200,000 more holidaymakers will be booking in January – a rise of 4.65%.

Travel companies expect passenger demand to be 5% higher in the 12 months between October 2025 and September 2026, compared to the same period the previous year.

More: CAA issues ‘pack safe, fly safe’ advice ahead of record Christmas rush

Selina Chadha, the CAA’s group director for consumers and markets, said: “Sunshine Saturday is seen as the busiest day of the year for people booking holidays as travellers look for bargain deals on their next getaway.

“With more people looking to book their holiday, it’s important to check your package holiday for Atol protection.

“You’ll have peace of mind that you won’t lose money if your travel company collapses.”

Karen Smyth, director of infrastructure and sustainability at the Consumer Council for Northern Ireland, added: “It’s important to be aware of your consumer rights so you can relax on holiday. Following the CAA’s guidance to ensure your holiday is Atol protected, having valid travel insurance in place that meets your needs before you travel, and checking passport and visa requirements, are all simple things you can do to take the stress out of travelling.”

Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel, advised: “Booking a package is the best way to protect your next holiday abroad, as the Atol scheme ensures you won’t be left out of pocket, or worse, stranded abroad if your holiday company were to go bust.

“You’ll be covered both financially and legally by the package travel regulations, which means the holiday operator is responsible for sorting out any problems, from disruption caused by wildfires and bad weather to the hotel being closed or not being up to scratch.”

The CAA also offered 10 tips to consumers to help them to look out for holiday fraud, urging them to research travel companies before they book, and check the web address is legitimate.