The government’s overhaul of the Air Travel Organisers’ Licensing (Atol) travel scheme is now underway, it has been revealed.
The radical shake up of the Atol scheme could potentially extend coverage to up to six million more holidays every year. The programme is in place to protect people who have bought package holidays and flights from a member tour operator, should the operator go bust or have other issues while the holiday is taking place.
The overhaul includes suggestions such as extending Atol protection to cover so-called “flight-plus” breaks, which include both the flights and the other holiday components, such as car hire and accommodation.
The Atol consultation – which is due to run until 15 September 2011 – will also see new Atol certificates suggested, which would allow customers to be aware of their rights if their holiday operator should go bust.
Aviation minister Theresa Villiers said, “We have always been clear about our commitment to modernising the Atol scheme, and these proposals are an important step towards achieving just that,’ she added.
“As well as ensuring up to six million additional holidays are protected, these proposals will help steer the scheme’s finances on to a more sustainable path for the future,” she added.
Ms Villiers went on to say that, while the chances of a holiday operator collapsing while its customers are enjoying their holidays is very low, the impact of such an event could be hugely stressful.
(Image: Andrei Dimofte)
