What does deadlock mean?

Deadlock means that you’re unable to settle a complaint you have with your travel company – despite following the ABTA complaints resolution process, both parties are unable to agree on a reasonable outcome and therefore you have nowhere else to go. 

Once you've reached deadlock, you have the option to proceed to arbitration – an independent scheme facilitated by ABTA. There is a cost to you to take your travel company through the arbitration process, and the outcome is not guaranteed to rule in your favour. 

What is arbitration? 
Before you decide what your next steps are, you should read our information on the ABTA ADR schemes.