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The UK Civil Aviation Authority confirms that of the 1,133 ATOL licences that expired on 30 September 2021, 871 have been renewed, with a further 118 still in the process. In total there are now 1,517 ATOL holders, with 661 due to renew in March 2022.

With 217 businesses applying in the fourteen days leading up to the 30 September deadline, 85 of which were in the last three days, the UK Civil Aviation Authority urges travel businesses that are due to renew in March 2022 to apply in good time before the 31 March 2022 deadline because of the time required to analyse and process applications, and put any required conditions in place. Businesses that fail to allow reasonable time to apply by the deadline risk being unable to take ATOL protected bookings.

ATOL Licences as of 30 September 2018

1,296

ATOL Licences as of 25 October 2019

1,283

ATOL Licences as of 30 September 2020

1,261

ATOL Licences as of 30 September 2021

1,133

Did not apply 2018

117

Did not apply 2019

51

Did not apply 2020

176

Did not apply 2021

144 *

Granted 2018

1,072

Granted 2019

1,182

Granted 2020

995

Granted 2021

871

Applied but not yet renewed - 1 October 2018

107

Applied but not yet renewed - 26 October 2019

50

Applied but not yet renewed - 1 October 2020

90

Applied but not yet renewed - 1 October 2021

118 **

Michael Budge, Head of ATOL Licensing at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said:

“We understand the pressure the industry is facing and would like to thank travel companies for engaging with us throughout the renewal process. The Civil Aviation Authority has continued to apply the current ATOL framework when processing the latest renewals.

“The ATOL scheme ultimately exists to protect consumers and therefore it is more important than ever that the Civil Aviation Authority focuses on appropriate protection of customer money, as well as travel businesses maintaining adequate liquidity.”

Notes to editor

Data presented as of 3 October 2021.

* Includes 41 trade ATOL holders that no longer require to hold an ATOL licence.

** 52 of these submitted applications within the last 5 business days of September 2021.

Travel companies with ATOLs must renew their licences each year, either in September or March.

The top 10 ATOL holders report is available as of 3 October 2021.

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