Industry bodies were seemingly taken by surprise when detail in a government-backed Business Companion Coronavirus Bulletin for travel, dated 7 May, confirmed RCNs would be financially protected.

The publication carries the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy branding, and that of the Chartered Trading Standards Institute.

An Abta spokesperson said: “If this had been confirmed earlier by government it would have helped avoid a lot of concern and confusion among customers.

“It would be helpful if the CAA could now also publicly confirm the same, as suggested by the current wording on its website.”

They continued: “That the government recognises and is now communicating that credit notes are financially protected and may be offered will give customers confidence that their money is safe. 

"Abta has been clear from the start that Refund Credit Notes are financially protected under the terms of the ATOL payment policy. We now need the government to announce a wider strategy to support the industry through this crisis.”

TTG has approached Beis and the CAA for further comment and clarification.