Jet2holidays will allow bookings made by Freedom Travel Group members and Future Travel homeworkers to switch Abta numbers in the wake of the collapse of Thomas Cook.
The consortium’s 155 independent agencies were using Freedom Abta numbers, as it was responsible for processing payments.
However, the practice meant agents were left in the lurch following Freedom’s demise as the numbers effectively became invalid.
Now, a spokesperson for the operator said they had been in “constant dialogue” with both the CAA and Abta following the collapse of Cook last month.
He added as a result, bookings made with Jet2holidays via Freedom agents can now be switched across to their new numbers free of charge.
The spokesperson said: “This is an unprecedented situation and is not something that normally takes place.
“Following a consultation and guidance from the CAA and Abta now having come through, they have advised us we can switch their Abta number free of charge.”
The notice informing agents of the changes added: “We are in the process of clarifying the exact arrangements, and we will be in touch with you in due course.”
The news came as Freedom members continue to find new homes with other consortia in the wake of the Cook collapse.
Jacqui Cleaver, head of communications and business development at Protected Trust Services, said moves had been made to fast-track five separate agencies into the consortium in a bid to minimise disruption.
Efforts to regain control of their bookings were simplified last week when both consortium members and Future Travel homeworkers were given view-only access to their Tarsc system bookings following “lengthy discussions” between system operator Vertical Systems and Cook’s liquidator KPMG and with the assistance of Abta.
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