It’s a government issue specifically in this case because the government operates a mandatory fund that travel agencies pay into which covers the cost of repatr

It’s a government issue specifically in this case because the government operates a mandatory fund that travel agencies pay into which covers the cost of repatriation efforts if the travel agency collapses, and in the bigger picture because having thousands of citizens stranded abroad with potentially no financial means to repatriate themselves is, y’know, bad. https://www.caa.co.uk/ATOL-protection/Consumers/About-ATOL/ https://www.caa.co.uk/ATOL-protection/Consumers/About-ATOL/ > ATOL (which stands for Air Travel Organiser’s Licence) is a UK financial protection scheme and it protects most air package holidays sold by travel businesses that are based in the UK. The scheme also applies to some flight bookings, usually those where you book flights (including UK domestic flights) but do not receive your tickets immediately. > ATOL was first introduced in 1973, as the popularity of overseas holidays grew. After a number of high profile travel business failures left people stranded overseas the UK Government realised consumers required protection when their travel providers fell into difficulties. ATOL currently protects around 20 million holidaymakers and travellers each year. > If a travel business with an ATOL ceases trading, the ATOL scheme protects consumers who had booked holidays with the firm. It will support consumers currently abroad and provide financial reimbursement for the cost of replacing parts of an ATOL protected package.