The UK Civil Aviation Authority (UK CAA) has released an announcement that today, 3rd January 2026, is expected to be the busiest day of the year for holiday bookings. The day, known as “Sunshine Saturday”, is considered to be the annual peak for holiday bookings, and passenger demand is expected to be 5% higher between October 2025 and September 2026 than the same period in 2024.
The UK CAA has warned that passengers remain wary of scams and check for Air Travel Organisers’ Licensing (ATOL) protection on holiday bookings, a UK CAA scheme that offers protection for holidays booked through a travel agent or tour company where a flight is involved should the company cease trading.
“Sunshine Saturday is seen as the busiest day of the year for people booking holidays as travellers look for bargain deals on their next getaway,” said Selina Chadha, Group Director for Consumers and Markets at the UK CAA. “With more people looking to book their holiday, it’s important to check your package holiday for ATOL protection. Whether you’re searching for a summer or winter break, you’ll have peace of mind that you won’t lose money if your travel company collapses.”
The organisation has also released the following tips for preventing issues with holiday bookings:
- Research your travel company and planned trip before you book.
- Check the web address is legitimate and has not been altered by slight changes to the domain name.
- Don’t reply to unsolicited messages, emails, texts, social media or calls with holiday offers. Links and attachments in emails may lead to malicious websites or download viruses.
- Book travel insurance as it can provide extra protection if the holiday doesn’t work out quite as intended. The type of cover will vary so always carefully check the insurance terms and conditions for full details of cover.
- Make sure your package holiday is ATOL protected.
- Look out for hidden costs and charges.
- Use a credit card for holiday bookings if possible. A credit card may provide additional protection for your trip, under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act.
- Stay updated on international travel requirements for where you’re heading. This includes passport validity, visas, and entry restrictions.
- Keep essential documents safe.
- Plan your packing – to avoid queues at security and fly safe, make sure you don’t put the wrong things in your bag.
