CAA issues warning to DIY holidaymakers
01 May 2008 With summer holiday plans getting into full swing for many Brits, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has issued a warning to people who plan to take 'DIY holidays'.CAA spokesman David Clover said that the advantage of booking holidays with a single company is that they are likely to be covered by an Air Travel Organiser's Licence (Atol).
People who book their accommodation and flights separately, however, will not be able to rely on help from the CAA if their airline ceases operating or cancels flights.
Mr Clover explained: "The difference is that if you buy all your travel arrangements from a single travel company with an Atol…in the event of the tour operator going bust the CAA will make a full refund of that holiday cost, the flights, the accommodation, et cetera to the customer and if they are abroad we will also get them back to the United Kingdom."
The CAA spokesman also said that holidaymakers should not rely solely on their travel insurance as there is no guarantee that policies will cover against company insolvency.
Thousands of travellers saw the benefit of Atol protection in 2005, when the parent company of budget airline EUjet went into administration and stopped all flights, leaving passengers stranded abroad.
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