CAA appeal prolongs agent confusion
The CAA is seeking leave to appeal against a High Court ruling that gave agents the all-clear to sell dynamically packaged holidays without an ATOL.
The move will frustrate ABTA which was poised to distribute official guidance to its members and finally put the issue to bed.
Now appeal proceedings are underway, the matter is again subject to confusion and uncertainty.
“We can’t give any official guidance because the decision is being appealed,” an ABTA spokeswoman said. “In the meantime, any agent who needs advice should call our legal department.”
The CAA declined to comment other than to confirm that it was seeking leave to appeal. No dates have been fixed.
If granted, a full appeal hearing will be heard.
The ruling, made last month, allowed agents to sell dynamically packaged or tailor made holidays without an ATOL.
Announcing his decision, Mr Justice Goldring said: “It is not in the public interest for travel agents effectively to be pressurised into obtaining ATOLs if the law manifestly does not require them to do so.”
ABTA have estimated the cost to agents in additional bonding would top £16.5 million.
Report by Steve Jones
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