1,630 ATOL Holders confirmed following March licence renewals

A total of 1,630 businesses in the travel sector are currently licensed under the ATOL scheme according to new figures released by the UK Civil Aviation Authority.

The regulator, which oversees the financial protection scheme for package holidays, has published the figures following its completion of the March 2024 ATOL licence renewal process.

Of the 668 ATOL licences that expired on 31 March 2024, 615 have been renewed, with a further 20 still in the application process or yet to meet licence conditions.

Jet2, TUI, We Love Holidays, Booking.com and easyJet Holidays remain the current top five licence holders. The latest top 10 ATOL holders report is available on the UK Civil Aviation Authority website.

Michael Budge, Head of ATOL at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said:

“Companies renewing their licence in March forecast that passenger demand will continue to grow over the next 12 months as the impact of the pandemic continues to recede.

“Holidays remain a high priority for consumers, yet households face continued pressure on their budgets. We will continue to pay close attention to operator’s booking profiles and in particular the bookings for the popular summer departure period.

“As package holidays continue to grow in popularity with UK consumers, it is important consumers do their research before booking, use our website to check their holiday company is an ATOL licensed tour operator and book an ATOL protected package holiday.”

The UK Civil Aviation Authority reminds travel businesses that they should apply to renew their ATOL well in advance of the deadline because of the time required to analyse and process applications, and for the applicant to put any required conditions in place.

Businesses that fail to allow reasonable time to apply by the deadline risk being unable to take ATOL protected bookings.

Notes to editor

Travel companies with ATOLs must renew their licences each year, either in September or March.

The ATOL scheme offers financial protection for British holidaymakers when they book a package trip that includes a flight.  The scheme steps in to protect passengers if their holiday company ceases to trade, assisting them to get home if they are already aboard or allowing them to make a claim for a refund if they are yet to travel.