Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Lord Callanan on 25 October (HL Deb, cols 950), when they expect to publish their description of a linked travel arrangement; and whether Ministers have met with, or intend to meet with (1) online companies including online providers, and (2) consumer organisations, before determining their description of a linked travel arrangement.

The Government has published the definition of a Linked Travel Arrangement (LTA) in the recently closed consultation on the updated Package Travel Regulations. The definition has been taken from the EU Package Travel Directive 2015 to ensure harmonisation across Europe. The forthcoming consultation on ATOL regulations, will set out how this will be transposed into UK regulations for holidays that include a flight. The practical points for implementation and operation will be published in the Civil Aviation Authority’s Guidance that will accompany the updated ATOL regulations and the Package Travel Regulations.

In developing these proposals and bringing them in to law, Ministers have a full programme of engagement, which includes online companies, tour operators and consumer organisations. In addition, travel companies and organisations such as the European Technology & Travel Services Association (ETTSA), Trading Standards and ABTA, have attended the PTD implementation workshops.