Latest news with #AirTravelOrganisers'Licence
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Brits face cancelled holidays as holiday company loses license
Hundreds of British travellers may have their summer holidays cancelled after a UK travel provider lost a key license on Friday. As of 13 June, operations by Great Little Escapes are no longer protected by an Air Travel Organiser's Licence (Atol). The company's Facebook page says the brand formerly offered 'holidays to the most iconic cities in the world'. A notice from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) confirmed that the company based in Sandhurst, Berkshire, ceased trading as an Atol holder on 13 June 2025. The Air Travel Organisers' Licence is a financial protection scheme run by the CAA for package holidays sold by tour operators in the UK. Under the scheme, if a firm goes out of business, your booking will be refunded. According to Companies House, the travel provider has been operational since September 2002. Great Little Escapes also traded under the names Your Holidays, Great Little Escapes, Tunisia First and websites and said the CAA. It added: 'We are currently collating information from the company and will update this page as soon as possible.' Customers of Great Little Escapes are advised not to submit a claim before the CAA has finished gathering information. The closure comes just two months after operations by Balkan Holidays shut in the UK, with 'all forward holiday bookings' cancelled after almost 60 years of trading. The travel provider started operations in 1966 with summer holidays to Bulgaria, Croatia, Montenegro, Slovenia, Malta and northern Cyprus, as well as winter ski trips, on offer to travellers. In March, Jetline Holidays ceased trading as an Atol holder, raising doubts on whether trip bookings – specifically cruises –would still be valid. Princess, Cunard and Holland America were among the affected cruise holidays, most of which were cancelled due to a 'breach of contract' with the former travel operator. The Carnival brand cruise lines said in a statement: 'We recognise how disappointing this news will be for affected guests and express our sincere apologies for the disruption caused. This decision was not made lightly.'
Daily Record
a day ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Holidaymakers facing chaos as UK travel company loses ATOL licence
The travel provider has ceased trading as an ATOL holder, meaning customers' holidays are in doubt Holidaymakers have been left in limbo this summer after a travel company lost its ATOL protection. Great Little Escapes, a firm based in Berkshire, ceased to be a holder of an Air Travel Organisers' Licence (ATOL) on Friday, June 13. The downgrading has thrown holiday plans into chaos for its customers. Great Little Escapes, which is based in Berkshire, sold holiday packages and claimed to offer the "best cheap breaks in the UK". On the company's website it says: "Holidays to the most iconic cities in the world. Find your next city break with Great Little Escapes." But it is feared that thousands of summer breaks are now at risk after the company stopped trading as an ATOL holder last week. An ATOL is crucial for companies selling holidays that include flights. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said Great Little Escapes traded under several names. The CAA advised concerned customers they were working to gather information at this time and would provide updates when they could. They said: "The company based in Sandhurst, Berkshire, traded under the names Your Holidays, Great Little Escapes, Tunisia First and websites and "We are currently collating information from the company and will update this page as soon as possible. Whilst waiting for further information, please do not submit a claim as these will be rejected." The company is different from and not connected in any way to Great Little Breaks. The ATOL scheme is a UK financial protection scheme which aims to protect those who book package holidays with flights. The CAA also issued advice to travel agents saying: 'If you are a travel agent of Great Little Escapes LLP and you are currently holding consumer payments which you have not yet paid to Great Little Escapes LLP, you must not use these funds to refund consumers until you have received instructions from the Air Travel Trust. "Travel agents will be individually contacted by the CAA with specific instructions for these bookings." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. The closure follows Balkan Holidays ceased trading in the UK in April and cancelled all future trips. Customers were left scrambling to make other arrangements. The company was founded in 1966 and specialised in trips to the Balkan region of Europe. This included trips to Bulgaria, Croatia, Montenegro, Slovenia, Malta and Northern Cyprus. Those who had booked holidays were told to expect refunds in the coming weeks. Also in April, Jetline Travel went into administration. It came a month after the 25-year-old company's ATOL status was removed. It also traded under several other names including Bargain Late Holidays, Best Priced Holidays, Cruise and More, Elegant Getaways, Our Best Holidays and Save on Sun. The London-based company is also the parent of Jetline Cruise.
