UK-based “Holidays 4U” ceases trading, thousands to be repatriated

UK-based travel company Holidays 4U has ceased trading today, advising the Civil Aviation Authority that it no longer had any credit. Holidays 4U specialised in Turkey holidays and also traded as AegeanFlights.com. Both trading names had an annual combined turnover of around £35m, offering package holidays and cheap flights to Turkey.

Most of the travel firm’s staff have been made redundant, and those who have booked with the company on all future flights – including a 9PM flight to Dalaman from Manchester this evening – have been advised not to travel to airports and contact the Civil Aviation Authority as soon as possible for further information. It is also understood that around 12,000 holidaymakers already away after booking with the company will have to be repatriated.

The Civil Aviation Authority are advising on their website that they are “working to ensure that all Holidays 4U customers due to fly home as planned; they should therefore arrive at the airport in time to check-in for their flights home as normal. However, some flight changes may be necessary.”

The CAA also added: “ATOL-protected customers of Holidays 4U who are currently abroad and experiencing difficulties should contact the CAA for more information on 0044 (0)161 444 5810. Those with forward bookings requiring general advice about refunds under the ATOL scheme should go to the CAA website or can contact the CAA on 08444 933037.”

Holidays 4U held both ATOL and ABTA licences, but it is unclear at present whether or not the ATOL scheme will reimburse customers who booked flight-only deals with the company. As for customers who booked indirectly through Holidays 4U with a separate travel agent, they are advised to contact the travel agent they booked with for more information about ATOL and repatriation.