UK CAA News

Spring ATOL Renewals: Regulator Reminds Travel Industry to Offer Cash Refunds

The UK Civil Aviation Authority has published figures from the March 2025 ATOL licence renewal process, showing 1,674 businesses are licensed under the ATOL scheme. Of 702 licences expiring on 31 March 2026, 636 have been renewed with 26 still in process. The regulator has reminded travel companies of their obligations under the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 to offer cash refunds to consumers within 14 days when packages are terminated due to unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances.

Heathrow Expansion Early Cost Recovery Draft Decision

The UK Civil Aviation Authority has published a draft decision allowing Heathrow Airport Limited to recover early expansion costs incurred during 2025 and 2026, capped at £320 million (2024 prices). Heathrow West Ltd may recover up to £4.3 million of early costs incurred up to 25 November 2025. The proposals include consumer protections: an independent technical expert for monitoring, transparent cost reporting requirements, and reopening mechanisms for future changes.

Heathrow H8 Price Cap: £27.20-£30.50 Initial Proposals for 2027-2031

The UK Civil Aviation Authority has published Initial Proposals for the H8 regulatory period (January 2027 to end of 2031), setting the proposed cap on Heathrow Airport charges at between £27.20 and £30.50 per passenger. The mid-point of £28.80 represents a 16% reduction from HAL's forecast and a 25% increase above airline proposals. The CAA is consulting stakeholders and will publish final proposals in November 2026, followed by a Final Decision in April 2027.