CAA starts ATOL shake-up consultation

A series of road shows for the travel industry will be run as part of the consultation process on the reform of the ATOL regime.

A proposed £1 levy (ATOL Protection Contribution) to replenish the Air Travel Trust Fund and reform bonding arrangements comes into force from April 1 – although the government has yet to confirm the amount of the contribution.

The road shows will be held on: 

*Tuesday 20-Thursday 22 November – London – CAA House, Kingsway
*Wednesday 5 December – Glasgow – Crowne Plaza
*Thursday 7 December – Newcastle – Royal Station Hotel
*Tuesday 11-Thursday 13 December – London – CAA House, Kingsway
*Tuesday 18 December – Birmingham – Park Inn, West Bromwich
 
2008
*Wednesday 9 January – Cardiff – Park Inn, Cardiff
*Wednesday 23 January – Manchester – Manchester Conference Centre
*Friday 25 January – Belfast – Best Western, Wellington Park
*Monday 28-Wednesday 30 January – London – CAA House, Kingsway
 

Andy Cohen, head of Air Travel Organisers’ Licensing said: “We contacted all ATOL holders two weeks ago about the road shows and received a tremendous response. Over 550 firms have already booked a one-to-one session with us. ATOL holders can get more information on the road shows and make a booking by visiting our website www.caa.co.uk/atolroadshow.

“For those unable to attend a road show we have published a guide to ATOL Reform. This can be downloaded from the ATOL website, along with the Consultation document.”
 
The main areas where these changes will take place are, according to the CAA:
 
The introduction of a new reporting system for the collection of the APC that will replenish the Air Travel Trust Fund and replace bonds and Deeds of Undertaking.

Changes to the provision of financial information by ATOL holders and monitoring that are proportionate.

The provision of bonds and overtrading guarantees in certain circumstances.

The introduction of minimum business systems specifications.

The appointment of a person by each ATOL holder to oversee licence compliance and administration issues.

To improve consumer awareness of whether their holiday or travel arrangements are ATOL protected.

CAA consumer protection group director Richard Jackson , which manages ATOL, said: “The consultation on proposed changes to ATOL holders’ licence conditions is an important next step in ATOL Reform following the Government’s go-ahead. The new terms will provide the CAA with sufficient but proportionate regulatory oversight of ATOL holders that will allow us to identify potential failures at an early stage and minimise calls on the Air Travel Trust Fund.”

“It is very important for ATOL holders to understand the proposed new conditions and the arrangements for the payment of the APC that will apply from 1 April 2008. I would urge all ATOL holders to use the information we have made available.” 

by Phil Davies