14 October 2009

TTA reassures members after Atol revelation

The Travel Trust Association has moved to reassure members after it emerged the T-Atol arrangement it had with the Civil Aviation Authority was illegal.

TTA operations director Gary Lewis said members and their customers would still be protected, despite the revelation.

The T-Atol was an agreement between the TTA and the CAA, where TTA members were given an Atol as long as they met certain criteria. The T-Atol holder puts all customers' money into their trust account and the TTA gives the financial guarantee to the customer.

However, it was revealed in the court case between the CAA and Travel Republic that the agreement, which ended in May, was illegal. The CAA is currently reviewing the agreement.

TTA operations director Gary Lewis said: "The previous fixed-term contract between the CAA and TTA expired by mutual agreement at the beginning of May 2009.

"While a new contract between the TTA and CAA/Air Travel Trust is being discussed and drawn up, letters of comfort have been provided in order to keep protection under T-Atols for TTA members and their customers."