AITO calls for ATOL reform after two airline failures

Friday, 06 Feb, 2012 0

The Association of Independent Tour Operators has renewed its call for ATOL reform in light of the collapse of Malev and Spanair last week.

Chairman Derek Moore said airlines are wrong to claim there is no need for them to be part of ATOL regulation.

"Spanair on Tuesday, Malev on Friday morning – it seems to me that the airline industry doth protest too much," said Moore.

"Airlines are no less subject to the current economic climate than the rest of us, as this little spate of collapses just goes to prove.

"It’s clear to AITO and its nearly 150 ATOL-protected tour operator members that it’s imperative that the airlines are brought within the ATOL legislation as soon as possible for both the protection of the public and for the clarification of the rules/levelling of the playing field, and we urge the Government to reconsider and to do the right thing."

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.