Groundhog day

We were told to expect the second ATOL consultation, making specific and final proposals, in early 2022. This was pushed back yet again to early 2023. We all expected this to bring closure, not an announcement taking us to April 2024, with even further consultation and of course no certainty of closure even then.

However, in late 2022 some sleight of hand was produced by the CAA. References to the second consultation stopped and instead we were told to expect the ‘next document’. This document only gives an update on the current thinking at the CAA and DFT. Further inertia and procrastination.

The 48-page document states emphatically and repeatedly, that: ‘No decisions have been taken’. Bear in mind that the CAA have been at this consultation since at least the beginning of 2021.

Whilst this new document tiptoes around, it does suggest the authors are beginning to grasp what needs to be done after years of obfuscation and delay. They just lack the industry, acumen and resolve to get on with it.

As a financial regulator they should not be trying to win a vote from the self-interested industry, but set policy that best serves the consumer and the taxpayer.

Asking the same questions, to the same audience, whose bias is unchanged, is not going to yield new answers. Once again they are asking the fox how the henhouse should be protected.

Dreamworld is the most recent failure which illustrates the problem: Take money for holidays- spend that money- can’t pay for holidays- go bust.

The CAA then require other travel organisers to compensate the Clients of the failed company. Why are we to be so forced, until at least April 2024, to subsidise the fallout of business practices which are illegal in every other major industry?