Our friends at Fethiye Times have published an interesting story, which highlights a problem we had never considered.

In short, ATOL protection only works if you are booking a flight from the UK to a destination abroad, or within the UK.

If you are booking a flight to the UK from abroad, there is no ATOL protection.

You can read the Fethiye Times story here: Fethiye Times article

After reading the article, KTLN contacted the Civil Aviation Authority, who run the ATOL scheme. Their spokesperson told us, “The ATOL scheme and regulation was created to protect customers booking and making payment in the United Kingdom, regardless of the nationality of the person booking".

They continued, "Where a person books and makes payment from outside the UK whether direct or via a (overseas) travel agent who books with a UK ATOL holder, the sale would not be protected. If such a booking was made using a credit card issued by a British financial institution, then it may be possible to seek a refund of the flight via the card issuer under the Consumer Credit Act.”

No doubt this exception has always been there, hidden in the small-print.  At least it is out in the open now, so you can consider your other options.

And speaking of flights, have you entered the KTLN competition yet?  The winner will get free flights for 2 people, from the UK to Dalaman, or vice-versa, courtesy of Monarch.  Click here for details.

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