CAA extends protection for RCNs Ian Taylor


Atol-holders can continue to issue Atol-protected refund credit notes (RCNs) for cancellations due to Covid up to the end of the year after the CAA confirmed protection remains. The CAA’s original confirmation


of Atol protection for RCNs expired at the end of September, leaving the trade in limbo for three weeks. Travel firms received


confirmation the CAA “will now consider claims for RCNs issued between March 10 and December 31, 2020 (inclusive)” on October 23. However, the CAA said: “Any


vouchers issued after January 1 will only be payable under the provisions


of the Air Travel Trust Payment Policy.” Abta has argued all along the


payment policy covers refund credit notes for Atol bookings. The CAA made clear the


obligation to pay consumers a full refund within 14 days of a package being cancelled “remains”, but said: “It remains acceptable for a consumer to accept an RCN or an amendment to a booking as an alternative . . . if at the same time the consumer was offered the opportunity of a full cash refund.” The terms for issuing RCNs set


out by the CAA on July 18 remain in force. The September 30, 2021, end date for Atol protection of RCNs remains unchanged.


‘Travel is not to blame for Covid spread’


Lucy Huxley


Travel is not the driving force behind Covid-19, so shutting borders is not the answer, says the boss of escorted touring specialist Trafalgar. Giving the keynote speech at


the first Association of Touring & Adventure Suppliers Virtual Week, Gavin Tollman said governments needed better collaboration and enforcement of rules to allow people to move around the world safely. “It is immensely frustrating


6 29 OCTOBER 2020


because, as an industry, we have really gone out of our way to ensure that, when people can travel, we’ve thought through the protocols that will look after them,” he said. “Travel is not the driving force


behind [the spread of Covid]. “Barely anyone has been travelling


and yet we are still sitting here with these ongoing waves. “So shutting borders and


stopping anyone coming in is not the underlying factor. It is ‘what are the governments doing in their country?’”


Most people are


relieved. Three months is long-term planning at the moment


A senior industry source said


“there is a bit of frustration” with the December 31 deadline, but added: “Most people are relieved. “Three months is long-term


planning at the moment. It allows the CAA another ‘check point’ to see where things are on testing and sentiment in the market.” CAA consumer director Paul


Smith said: “The decision to extend Atol protection for refund credit


Gavin Tollman


notes will strengthen consumer confidence and allow Atol-holders to continue to offer them to customers in good faith.” An Abta spokesperson said:


“We’ve been in discussion with the CAA about extending the issuing of Atol-protected refund credit notes and are pleased to see they’ve acted upon this. “Refund credit notes for Abta-


protected holidays can be issued and are valid until March 31, 2021.” The government confirmed


Atol-protection of RCNs in mid-July only after months of delay. At the time, the CAA issued guidance that Atol protection “currently will not apply” to RCNs issued after September 30.


Tollman said he had been involved in the creation of new protocols with the World Travel & Tourism


Council “to ensure that we were a partner in helping define what was needed”. Citing how governments had


collaborated to reduce the threat of terrorism in the wake of 9/11, he added: “These things would take us so far along, and I don’t understand why governments don’t just legislate it. “You have this underlying


demand for people to travel as soon as restrictions are lifted. They want to go but are restrained. All we need is common-sense public health measures and safety precautions that all of us can live with.” He added: “So many people ask,


‘when are things going to go back to normal?’ Don’t hang on, [travel is] not going to look like it did before. “We need to let go of what


was; we are going to have to think


differently, try new things.” i Atas Week, page 10


travelweekly.co.uk


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