Jet2 has maintained its position as the leading tour operator in the UK, while Booking.com and easyJet continue to climb the ranks, according to the latest figures from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). These figures, pertaining to the ATOL (Air Travel Organiser's Licence) scheme, reveal the number of protected holiday package seats available to consumers in the event of a tour operator or airline bankruptcy.
For the current year, Jet2 boasts 6.71 million ATOL-protected seats, a significant increase from the 5.8 million in 2023. TUI remains in second place, also showing a rise in protected seats, from 5.33 million to 5.85 million.
Notably, On the Beach, fell from third to sixth place despite an increase in its number of protected seats, due to the rapid growth of three other operators: We Love Holidays, which increased its ATOL-protected seats from 1.85 million to 2.67 million; Booking.com, which saw a rise from 1.73 million to 2.38 million; and easyJet, which increased from 1.29 million to 2.27 million.
The CAA's ATOL scheme is a crucial consumer protection measure, ensuring that holidaymakers are covered in case of financial failures within the travel industry. The growth in the number of protected seats across several operators indicates a robust and competitive market, with newer players gaining significant ground.
Jet2's ability to maintain its lead highlights its strong market position and consumer confidence in its offerings. Meanwhile, the impressive gains by Booking.com and easyJet highlight their expanding influence and capability to attract a larger share of the package holiday market.
The shift in rankings also reflects changing consumer preferences and the dynamic nature of the travel industry, where flexibility, competitive pricing, and comprehensive protection are increasingly valued.
As travel demand continues to recover and evolve post-pandemic, these trends suggest that competition among tour operators will intensify. Established leaders like Jet2 and TUI will need to be innovative and adapt to maintain their positions, while rising competitors like Booking.com and easyJet will likely continue to leverage their growing market share.
The ongoing monitoring and reporting by the CAA will remain vital for ensuring transparency and consumer protection, helping travellers make informed decisions about their holiday plans.
