Atol in a sentence

You can check the ATOL website before booking and use its check for ATOL tool to see if your holiday provider holds an ATOL licence.

The CAA, which is consulting on increasing ATOL funding, also noted that 'consumers lack knowledge of the key elements of ATOL protection,' especially around compensation when airlines fail.

Thomas Cook holidays are ATOL (Air Travel Organiser’s Licence) protected, so if the company splits, sells and closes, ATOL protected holiday makers should not be left out of pocket.

But there have been doubts as to whether they are protected by Atol.

If the travel firm goes bust in the interim, financial protection will be provided by the government-backed Atol scheme.

The Government is the financial backer for the Atol scheme, which is run by the CAA.

All package holidays sold in the UK are protected by the Atol scheme, administered by the CAA.

Another problem emerges -- Thomas Cook staff who take a holiday using their employment benefits aren’t covered by ATOL.

Antony Stokes tweeted: 'Urgent for Thomas Cook customers: Hotels in Cuba now have authority/instruction to allow customers, and air crew, to depart without paying (on basis of atol guarantee).

Atol protection means that if the package company you bought your holiday with collapses, then you are covered as the Government will look after you.

British government officials and Atol representatives were there accommodating passengers and helping move along the process.

Customers with Atol-protected holidays can claim a refund.

Holidaymakers and cabin crew claim the Cuban government does not recognise the UK Civil Aviation Authority's ATOL protection scheme.

I believe the Air Travel Organiser's Licence (ATOL) is funding the repatriations.

If it collapses before you travel, then Atol protection will either refund you or find you a replacement holiday.

If you have problems call the Atol/Abta helplines.

The refunds provided by the CAA apply to customers who were due to fly on holidays that were ATOL-protected.

The regulator stressed that all valid Atol-protected payments would be refunded, without giving a specific timeframe.

The total cost of holidaymakers’ guarantees to be paid by the Atol scheme – underwritten by the Civil Aviation Authority watchdog – is an estimated £600m if Thomas Cook goes under.

This is because Thomas Cook is ATOL-protected, meaning customers will be rescued if the company goes bust and they will be refunded for trips that can't go ahead.