Bestjet loses out in ATAS accreditation battle

Judge and gavel in courtroom

The Supreme Court of Queensland has refused Bestjet’s application for an interlocutory injunction to prevent the Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA) from following through on its decision not to renew its ATAS accreditation.

In March, AFTA confirmed it would not renew the online retailer’s accreditation, despite an “extensive process of appeal”, saying it had been unable to satisfy the criteria of the ATAS Charter, specifically section 2.5 entitled “Close Associate”.

The decision prompted Bestjet to apply to Queensland’s Supreme Court for an injunction, with managing director Rachel James insisting her team had “worked hard” to comply with AFTA’s requirements.

“We are very proud to be part of an industry offering consumers so much variety in the market, yet it is a challenging time when independent operators are increasingly being unfairly challenged,” she said at the time.

However, on Tuesday Justice Applegarth refused to grant the interlocutory injunction, with AFTA swiftly reconfirming that Bestjet’s ATAS accreditation has not been renewed.

“This decision takes immediate effect and Bestjet Pty Ltd has been removed from the AFTA membership list and it is no longer ATAS accredited,” AFTA said in a statement.

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

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