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Government moves to bring airlines under the ATOL scheme
ABTA has welcomed news that airlines could be brought within the scope of the ATOL scheme early next year.
The Department for Transport has announced that it may extend the scope of its Draft Civil Aviation Bill, now expected to be introduced in early 2012, to include airlines in the financial protection scheme.
ABTA chief executive Mark Tanzer said: “We have long called for the inclusion of holiday sales by airlines within the scope of the ATOL scheme, to improve consumer financial protection and ensure a fair and workable solution for the industry.
“The Government has stated that primary legislation is required to do this: today’s announcement is the first signal that they are listening to the consumer and commercial arguments.
“There is space within a draft Bill, and we now need a clear commitment from the DfT to bring holidays sold by airlines in. We are also encouraged that the Government has brought forward the timing of this draft Bill to early 2012.”
The Government will decide before the end of the year on how to proceed.
The Bill would also transfer the enforcement of airport security to the CAA and give it the right to fine airports for poor performance (see earlier story).
by Bev Fearis
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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