More than 100 travel businesses including Scuba diving shops that offer dive trips to the Red sea for example, are continuing to sell air packages without the protection of an ATOL Licence, Thus rendering no protection for holiday makers according to the Civil Aviation Authority.
This is 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.
“The letter we are sending today reminds other firms of the need to consider whether they are selling air packages and we are prepared to discuss their activities with them and give advice on ATOL requirements.
In addition, the CAA has continued to investigate other travel firms that may need an ATOL.
It has sent out a letter to them today setting out the legal position and calling on them to apply for a licence.
“The guidance has now been in the public domain for almost four months and the CAA believes that the majority of travel businesses in the UK should have now considered whether the guidance on the definition of a package indicates they are selling air inclusive packages.
“The CAA has always made it clear that it would first undertake a thorough education process, so that business had time to assess the guidance, but 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.”
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