United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
ATOL protection levels decline by 5.7%
As many as 18 million people are flying on holiday without official safeguards against travel company failure.
The warning came from the Civil Aviation Authority while releasing figures showing a drop in the number of travellers protected by ATOL.
CAA figures show that 26.7 million holidaymakers and air travellers were ATOL-protected in the year to March 2006, a reduction of 5.7% year-on-year.
The Summer 2006 edition of ATOL Business also revealed that turnover for all ATOL holders for the year to March 2006 declined by less than 1% with the average holiday price increasing by 5.5% to £525.
The CAA figures also show that only 60% of all leisure air travellers were ATOL-protected – down from 61% in January 2006. The CAA estimates that over 18 million leisure air travellers now fly without ATOL protection.
This was despite number of travel firms providing ATOL protection increasing by 8% to 2,520.
The research found that ATOL-protected scheduled flights sold by consolidators fell significantly with an 11% drop in carryings.
The CAA said forecast passenger figures for the top four ATOL holder groups (major tour operators) are static at 13.8 million passengers, maintaining their market share at 46%.
CAA consumer protection group deputy director David Moesli said: “The figures highlighted in today’s ATOL Business reflect planned reductions in holiday capacity by some tour operators who are responding to changing market conditions. Some operators have increased capacity through organic growth and acquisition.
“The number of people enjoying ATOL protection remains fairly constant at around 27 million holidaymakers a year, but continued growth in leisure air bookings with airlines highlights the fact that ATOL now covers a smaller proportion of leisure air travel.”
Report by Phil Davies
Related News Stories:
Phil Davies
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
Craig Ray and the Expansion of the Blues Trail
Presenting Mississippi’s Cultural Trails with Katie Coats
Robert Terrell: A Journey Through BB King’s Influence
Rochelle Hicks: Celebrating Mississippi’s Musical Legacy
Exploring Jacksonville with Katie Mitura: The Flip Side of Florida
Tricia Handley-Hughes of Inteletravel announces the location for the TravelQuest 2025 conference
Insights from James Ferrara on Inteletravel’s Growth and Future
Tricia Handley-Hughes on Inteletravel’s Growth and Challenges
Tony from Gatto’s Pizza on Columbus’s Unique Pizza Trail
Sophia Hyder Hock on Global Social Inclusion in Tourism
Woman dies after getting ‘entangled’ in baggage carousel
Dozens fall ill in P&O Cruises ship outbreak
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
BA pilot dies during layover
Boy falls to death on cruise ship