“Flight-Plus” holidays – those that look like package holidays but are sold in a way which currently falls outside the current consumer protection scheme which are now being sold by tour operators and travel agents – will be included in the ATOL scheme from 30 April. This means approximately a further six million of this type of holiday previously not covered by ATOL protection will now be.
Given there has always been confusion in the past when a tour operator or airline goes bust whether holiday makers have any cover at all, Cheapflights welcomes the introduction on 1 October of certificates confirming whether a deal is or is not covered by ATOL. The delay is to allow the industry time to prepare processes and documentation.
While an additional six million holidays will now have cover from May onwards, flights with accommodation holidays sold by airlines will not be included. These will have to wait for further legislation which will be made possible in the forthcoming Civil Aviation Bill.
Commenting, Cheapflights John Barrington-Carver said: “Cheapflights welcomes ATOL’s extension to cover “Flights Plus” holidays and particularly the certificates that will help ensure that consumers understand whether their holiday is covered or not by ATOL.”
He added: “Hopefully when the Civil Aviation Bill is passed, even wider consumer protection will be made possible.”
Read the full statement by Theresa Villiers, the Minister of State for Transport.
(Image: jonevans)
