More than 1500 ATOL holders after September 2022 renewals
The UK Civil Aviation Authority confirms that 1,579 travel businesses currently hold an ATOL licence that protects consumers’ money if a company goes into administration.
The new figures come after the regulator’s September ATOL licence renewal process.
Of the 1,047 ATOL licences that expired on 30 September 2022, 923 had been renewed, with a further 60 still in the process. Of the 60 businesses, 10 provided a complete application more than fifteen business days before the 30 September deadline.
The UK Civil Aviation Authority therefore urges travel businesses that are due to renew in March 2023 to apply in good time before the 31 March 2023 deadline because of the time required to analyse and process applications, and 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.
| ATOL Licences as of 30 Sept. 2018
1,296 |
ATOL Licences as of 25 October 2019
1,283 |
ATOL Licences as of 30 Sept. 2020
1,261 |
ATOL Licences as of 30 Sept. 2021
1,133 |
ATOL Licences as of 30 Sep. 2022
1,047 |
| Did not apply 2018
117 |
Did not apply 2019
51 |
Did not apply 2020
176 |
Did not apply 2021
144 |
Did not apply 2022
63 * |
| Granted 2018
1,072 |
Granted 2019
1,182 |
Granted 2020
995 |
Granted 2021
871 |
Granted 2022
923 |
| Applied but not yet renewed – 1 October 2018
107 |
Applied but not yet renewed – 26 Oct. 2019
50 |
Applied but not yet renewed – 1 October 2020
90 |
Applied but not yet renewed – 1 October 2021
118 |
Applied but not yet renewed 1 October 2022
60 |
Michael Budge, Head of ATOL at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said: “As the travel sector recovers from the lingering effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, we’re pleased so many travel companies have engaged with us as we considered their licence application.
“Household budgets will be under pressure in the coming months, so it is more important than ever to ensure consumers enjoy ATOL protection by booking with a licensed tour operator. We will continue to work with businesses to maintain resilience as the travel industry expects bookings to get back to pre-pandemic levels.”
Notes to editor
Data table presented as of 3 October 2022.
* Includes 13 trade ATOL holders that no longer require to hold an ATOL licence.
Travel companies with ATOLs must renew their licences each year, either in September or March.
The latest top 10 ATOL holders report is available on the UK Civil Aviation Authority website.
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