Travel Republic confirmed today that it has applied for an ATOL licence for the first time to comply with the new Flight Plus regulations that came into force last month.
The online travel agency, which won a lengthy legal battle with the Civil Aviation Authority over its sale of non-licensed trips, issued a statement today saying he had applied for an ATOL "to ensure we are fully compliant with the new regulations".
Chief executive Kane Pirie, who led the battle against the CAA and has consistently spoken out against ATOL reform, refused to say why Travel Republic had chosen not to go down the route of acting as an agent for the consumer to avoid the need for a licence.
The online retailer sold 75% of its shares to Dubai-based dnata last December, but Emirates’ subsidiary said the decision to apply for an ATOL was taken by Travel Republic.
By Linsey McNeill
