The Package Travel Directive (PTD) was published in December 2015 and EU member states were given until January 1 this year to transpose it into national law.

However, the UK missed this deadline and only published its own Package Travel Regulations (PTR) last week, giving the industry just 10 weeks to be ready.

Abta says the new regulations are “pretty much as expected”, although the association is seeking clarification from the government on some aspects of the wording.

“The conversations we’ve had in recent months (and years) about what is changing and how to prepare is all still relevant,” said Mark Tanzer, Abta chief executive.

The association has announced it will refresh its 12 steps to PTD guide “very shortly”, as well as more detailed guidance and model documents.

It will next month host two conference calls/webcasts, one on what is changing and one specifically on Linked Travel Arrangements, introduced under the new PTD.

There will also be an Abta-hosted one-day seminar for agencies seeking additional guidance in Birmingham on May 1, while PTD/PTR will feature in Abta’s annual travel law seminar over May 22-23.

Tanzer also welcomed the launch last week of the government’s Airline Insolvency Review an called for a “clear and consistent” approach when an airline fails.