ATOL is a protection scheme for flights and air holidays, managed by the Civil Aviation Authority ("CAA"). Most firms who sell air travel in the UK are required by law to hold a licence called an Air Travel Organiser's Licence ("ATOL").
If you've booked and contracted with a tour operator for a complete air holiday package or just a flight, ATOL protects you from losing money or being stranded abroad if the tour operator goes out of business. All licensed firms have to lodge bonds with the CAA so that if they go out of business, the CAA can give refunds to people who can't travel and arrange for people abroad to finish their holidays and fly home. There's also a Government-backed fund called the Air Travel Trust that steps in if any ATOL bond isn't enough to look after everyone affected by the failure.
Our listing on the CAA/ATOL web site.
The online certificate for ATOL verification.
For more information from ATOL on consumer rights and advice, click here.
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