CAA warn non-ATOL flight sellers of legal action
15.05.08
More than 100 UK travel businesses may be continuing to sell air packages without the protection of an ATOL, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said. It has sent out a letter to the firms setting out the legal position and calling on them to apply for a licence.
The CAA says that, despite the the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) issuing guidance in January on what constitutes a package for the purposes of the Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992, over 100 firms that it believes need a licence are selling air packages without ATOL cover.
Since January the CAA has been in discussion with both current licence holders and large travel companies that it believes need to hold an ATOL in accordance with the terms of the new guidance. As a result, there has been an increase of more than 400,000 protected seats added to ATOL licences, it has disclosed.
However, the CAA has continued to investigate other travel firms that may need an ATOL. It has sent out a letter to them this week setting out the legal position and calling on them to apply for a licence.
Head of ATOL licensing Andy Cohen said: ‘Ultimately the CAA’s duty is to ensure that consumers receive the protection they are entitled to have by law, and consequently the CAA will take prosecution action if it considers that the ATOL Regulations are being breached.’
Add to: del.icio.us | Digg it | Newsvine | NowPublic | Reddit
To book gatwick hotels or gatwick parking at the lowest price, click on these links to two great gatwick parking and gatwick hotels price comparison pages.
