Agents need permission to start new ATOL certificates
Agents selling ATOL-protected holidays are being reminded that they will need permission from the Civil Aviation Authority to issue the new ATOL certificates.
The reminder comes as the CAA confirmed that Global Travel Group has become the latest Accredited Body under the new Flight Plus regime.
The new certificates, which aim to stop any confusion for customers as to how their holiday is protected, do not have to be issued until 1 October. This is to allow agents time to prepare their IT systems.
But agents who intend to issue certificates earlier – after the new ATOL reforms come into force on 30 April – need to ensure the CAA’s permission.
They must meet the CAA’s criteria to demonstrate their systems are able to produce the certificate and get formal permission from the CAA to use the certificate before 1 October.
David Moesli, CAA’s deputy director for Consumer Protection Group said: "Whilst travel organisers do not have to start using the certificate until 1 October, we are aware that some may well be ready before that date, and it’s therefore important that we clarify what travel organisers must do if they want to use the certificate when the reforms come in to force.
"That’s why we have published the criteria that travel organisers have to meet to demonstrate they are ready and to ensure the certificate is used consistently. However, it is absolutely vital that as well as meeting the criteria, they remember they will not be able to use the certificate before 1 October unless they have our permission."
Travel agents will need to issue the certificate to their customers immediately after the booking is made.
The CAA has also published a series of style guides, which set out how the ATOL Certificate should look for the different types of ATOL protected bookings – package, flight only and flight-plus.
These will be followed by comprehensive guidance on using the certificate, which will be published in the coming weeks.
Global Travel Group confirmed yesterday that its members will be able to sell ATOL-protected holidays without the need for their own ATOL under its Accredited Body scheme.
By Diane Evans
Diane
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