The 50 comprise 7% of those which were due to renew their licence by 31 March, compared to 13% last year. The CAA said 675 Atols were due to be renewed on 31 March, with 594 already renewed and another 31 in progress.

There are now 1,618 Atol-holders, with another 1,025 due to renew in September. 

The March renewal is smaller than last year, when 742 renewed, and in March 2020, when 805 were granted a licence. The renewal rate at this point – 88% – is much better than last year’s 75% and on a par with 2020.

Similarly, the proportion of those which have applied but not yet renewed before the deadline, 5%, is much better than last year’s 12%.

Michael Budge, head of Atol Licensing, said:

“We would like to thank those travel companies that submitted their applications and supporting information for renewal in good time and working with us throughout the process. The Civil Aviation Authority has continued to apply the current Atol framework when processing these latest renewals.

“In the interest of protecting consumers, it is right for us to continuously engage and closely monitor Atol holders to help keep customers financially safe when travelling.”