§ Mr. WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the steps taken by the Civil Aviation Authority to ensure that all passengers whose travel is arranged through package operators are adequately protected through the holding of air transport organiser's licences.
§ Mr. NorrisThe Civil Aviation Authority examines each ATOL licence holder annually to ensure that it is managed by persons who are fit to hold a licence and have a financial bond as a guarantee of security against financial failure. Should the bond prove inadequate in the event of failure, the Air Travel Trust, which is managed by Civil Aviation Authority officials, is designed to meet claims which would properly have been payable from the bond.
§ Mr. WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will specify the types of bookings on scheduled air services which require the organiser to hold an air transport organiser's licence.
§ Mr. NorrisUnder The Civil Aviation (Air Travel Organisers' Licensing (ATOL)) Regulations 1972, as amended, an ATOL licence is required where a person selling air seats on scheduled flights is acting as a principal in the sale to the public rather than acting as the agent of the airline. An airline does not need an ATOL in order to advertise or sell tickets for carriage on its own aircraft.
§ Mr. WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what protection exists for clients of packaged air travel operators who do not hold an air transport operator's licence and do not satisfy EC regulations.
§ Mr. NorrisMost air tour operators are required by The Civil Aviation (Air Travel Organisers' Licensing)388W Regulations to hold an ATOL. ATOL holders are required to show their ATOL number in all their brochures, leaflets and advertisements.
There are some air tour operators without an ATOL who may currently have alternative bonding arrangements with the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), pending the completion of requirements for an ATOL.