ABTA has defended the country’s travel agents in a letter to The Times, after the newspaper ran an editorial unfairly criticising them.

In a comment piece on recent flight cancellations and travel delays, called Shambles at the airports, The Times said that travel agencies ‘have knowingly sold holidays without any certainty that the flights were available’.

In his letter, published today, ABTA Chief Executive Mark Tanzer said: “No evidence is provided to back up this sweeping statement. 

“Travel agents are true professionals and experts who not only provide a great service but are there to help customers if something goes wrong.

“By accusing them in this way, The Times is doing thousands of hard-working agents an incredible disservice.”