The Holiday People - ATOL

ATOL stands for Air Travel Organiser’s Licence. It is a UK financial protection scheme operated by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Here’s a full breakdown:

🔒 What is ATOL?

ATOL protects consumers when they book package holidays that include a flight with UK-based travel companies. If the travel company goes out of business:

• Before your trip: ATOL ensures you get a full refund.

• During your trip: ATOL ensures you can complete your holiday and return home at no extra cost.

✅ What Does ATOL Cover?

• Flight + hotel packages.

• Flight + car hire packages.

• Some flight-only bookings (where a travel company sells a flight but is also legally required to hold an ATOL).

Important: It does not cover flights booked directly with airlines or hotels booked independently.

📄 How Do You Know If You're Covered?

When you book an ATOL-protected trip, you must be given an ATOL Certificate as soon as you pay. This certificate confirms:

• What’s protected

• Who’s providing the protection

• What to do if the company ceases trading

🛡 Why Is It Important?

ATOL was established to prevent scenarios like those seen in the past where travel companies collapsed (e.g., Thomas Cook in 2019), leaving travellers stranded or out of pocket. It’s a legal safety net for holidaymakers, especially when booking packages.

🧭 Who Needs an ATOL?

Any UK-based company that sells air holidays or flights and meets the ATOL criteria must hold an ATOL licence. This includes:

• Tour operators

• Travel agencies acting as package providers

• Online booking platforms selling flight-inclusive packages

If you’re running or promoting holidays with flight elements (such as through The Holiday People), it’s crucial either to:

• Hold your own ATOL, or

• Work with ATOL-protected suppliers and clearly pass that protection to your customers.

How ATOL Works (for Travellers)

1. Booking a Trip

When a traveller books a package holiday (flight + hotel, or flight + car hire) with a UK-based travel company, the travel company must:

• Hold an ATOL licence.

• Provide the traveller with an ATOL Certificate immediately after payment.

This certificate confirms:

• What parts of the trip are protected

• Who the provider is

• What happens if the company fails

2. Before You Travel

If the travel company goes out of business before departure:

• You get a full refund.

• The refund is managed by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) using money held in the ATOL fund.

3. While You're Abroad

If the company collapses during your holiday:

• ATOL covers the cost of returning home.

• CAA arranges alternative flights or accommodation so travellers aren’t stranded.

ATOL covers:

• Package holidays that include flights (e.g. flight + hotel, or flight + car hire).

• Some flight-only bookings made through ATOL holders.

It does not cover:

• Flights booked directly with airlines

• Hotel-only bookings

• Holidays booked with non-UK companies

You will receive an ATOL Certificate immediately after booking and paying. This certificate confirms:

• What is protected

• Who your provider is

• What to do if something goes wrong

You can also look for the ATOL logo on the travel company’s website or marketing material.

No. DIY trips — where you book flights and hotels separately yourself — are not protected by ATOL.

To get ATOL cover, book a package holiday or flight-inclusive trip from a UK ATOL-licensed travel company.

Yes. Use the CAA’s official search tool here:
👉 https://www.caa.co.uk/atol-protection/check-an-atol-holder/

Just enter the company name or ATOL number.