ATOL protection for refund credit notes extended until 31 January 2021

Due to ongoing disruption impacting the travel industry, the Air Travel Trust has announced an extension of ATOL protection for refund credit notes issued up to 31 January 2021.

ATOL protection for refund credit notes originally applied to those issued between 10 March 2020 and 30 September 2020. This was later extended to 31 December 2020 in light of the continued impact of the coronavirus pandemic on travel.

The same conditions as previously advised to travel companies will apply to refund credit notes:

• They must be issued for a cancelled ATOL protected booking
• The booking must have been cancelled by the tour operator due to the coronavirus pandemic
• The refund credit note must be able to be exchanged for cash at a later date

Paul Smith, Consumer Director at the UK Civil Aviation Authority said “We are aware of the challenges the travel industry is facing, and we have therefore taken the exceptional decision to extend ATOL protection for refund credit notes issued up to 31 January 2021.

“Consumers should feel confident accepting refund credit notes for cancelled ATOL protected bookings where the option is suitable for them. While ATOL holders are able to continue offering refund credit notes in good faith, they must also offer consumers the option of a full cash refund.”

Further details of the conditions for refund credit notes can be found on our website here: https://www.atol.org/news-and-blogs/2020/07/18/refund-credit-notes/

For media enquiries contact Jake Woodley or Andrew McConnell at the ATOL Press Office on 00 44 (0)207 453 6030 or [email protected].

You can also follow the ATOL on Twitter @atolprotected