Consultation outcome

Updating ATOL consumer protection for package travel

This consultation has concluded

Detail of outcome

The government response to the consultation states that we:

  • will narrow the regulation to make clear that intermediaries who are organising a package or facilitating a flight sale and receive payment from the consumer are within scope of ATOL
  • have decided that retail agents will not be required to hold their own ATOL when selling multi-contract packages organised by an ATOL holder
  • are making extra provision in the ATOL regulations to ensure that the scheme is robust and compliant with the Package Travel Directive (PTD) 2015
  • will work on providing guidance to industry to better regulate PTD 2015 through the concept of linked travel arrangements

Original consultation

Summary

Proposed regulatory changes to the ATOL consumer protection scheme in the package travel sector.

This consultation ran from
to

Consultation description

Seeks views on proposals to update the the Air Travel Organisers’ Licensing (ATOL) regulations to comply with the Package Travel Directive 2015.

In particular, it seeks views on:

  • broadening the scope of ATOL protection through a new definition of a ‘package’
  • implementing protection for flight-LTAs under the Package Travel Regulations
  • updating the groups who need to hold an ATOL

For clarity, we have published the following documents alongside the consultation document:

  • draft regulations amending the Civil Aviation (Air Travel Organisers’ Licensing) Regulations 2012 (the ATOL Regulations)
  • an impact assessment

Getting in touch

If you have questions or would like to discuss any points raised in this consultation, email us at ATOLconsultation@dft.gsi.gov.uk.

Civil Aviation Authority proposals

The CAA’s proposals to amend the ATOL standard terms and guidance to meet the new requirements are available on their website.

Documents

Updating ATOL consumer protection in the package travel sector

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email webmasterdft@dft.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Updating ATOL consumer protection in the package travel sector - impact assessment

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If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email webmasterdft@dft.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Draft ATOL regulations

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email webmasterdft@dft.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.
Published 23 February 2018
Last updated 29 May 2018 + show all updates
  1. Outcome released.

  2. First published.