Agents have expressed their frustration at rules that allow Spanish-based lowcostholidays to advertise on TV in the UK without holding an ATOL.
Many took to trade Facebook page, Travel Gossip, to question why they are allowed, saying it made a mockery of the rules that the rest of the industry follows.
One said: "The adverts for Low Cost Holidays are really bugging me – why are they allowed to advertise on TV when they have no ATOL licence?"
Another said: "Drives me mad too! Should be made clear!"
The Civil Aviation Authority clarified that it had no power over such adverts unless a company was falsely claiming to be an ATOL holder which was not the case.
But it added that any UK-based companies with ATOL licences are required to demonstrate they provide ATOL protection in their advertising.
A spokesman said: "This is to highlight that customers can have peace of mind that their booking is protected even if something goes wrong."
Lowcostholidays, which announced plans to move its business to Spain in October 2013, did not comment.
Uncertainty over the relocation of Lowcostholidays was raised again recently in a report on traveller protection by Air Travel Insolvency Protection Advisory Committee (ATIPAC).
It called for safeguards to ensure that holidaymakers understand what financial protection is provided when they buy from non-ATOL travel companies based abroad.
