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THE travel industry has welcomed news the Civil Aviation Authority will carry out further work on the financial protection of holidaymakers – but warned politicians to ‘get on with it’.

The CAA has been asked by the Government to further investigate various consumer protection options regarding air travel. This follows analysis of the CAA review which recommended bringing scheduled air within the ATOL system (Travel Weekly July 23).

The work will be finished by March next year according to CAA deputy director of the consumer protection group David Moesli.

In a statement this week, the Department for Transport recognised rising numbers of consumers are not covered by the existing ATOL scheme.

It now wants the CAA – in consultation with the trade – to devise "a range of interim voluntary measures", while the CAA explores long-term options including voluntary and mandatory schemes that may involve bonding, insurance, and/or a consumer protection levy of "maybe £1 to £2".

Association of Independent Tour Operators director Noel Josephides called the move "a step in the right direction" but added "the months keep slipping by". "Every month that goes by is a nail in the coffin of traditional air operators."

Moesli said temporary protection measures would include pop-up boxes on airlines’ websites informing the public they are making bookings without financial protection. Details of how the CAA will consult the travel industry on this latest development are undecided.

Association of ATOL Companies chairman David Mortimer applauded the news an airline consumer protection scheme is squarely on the CAA agenda.

ABTA aviation committee chairwoman Doreen McKenzie was "delighted to see a timetable has been set" as long as the trade is consulted.

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