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Fleetway Travel ceases trading after 45 years
London-based Fleetway Travel has ceased trading after 45 years in business.
The company, which also traded under the names of Exclusive Luxury Breaks, Explorer’s Collection, Late Bargains, Luxury Holiday Collection, Phone & Fly, Sail Away, Silversurfers Holidays and Travelsmart, had 6,500 affected ATOL-protected bookings.
The Civil Aviation Authority said no customers are currently abroad, but it is aware of a ‘number of consumers whose bookings have been cancelled by Fleetway Travel Ltd as a result of government guidance or flight cancellations’.
Consumers that were promised but have not yet received a refund for the cancellation of their ATOL protected booking will be able to submit a claim.
For consumers that are due to travel after 13 July 2020, flight tickets may still be valid but this must be confirmed with the airline.
The CAA added that customers choosing to travel may be asked to pay again for replacement services of the original package holiday. However, they are entitled to submit a claim for a refund.
Replacement services may include accommodation, transfers or other services but consumers should confirm which services were included in the package holiday.
If consumers choose not to travel or their flight tickets are not valid, they will be able to make a claim.
Andy Cohen, Head of ATOL at the CAA said: "We understand this will be concerning news for anyone who has booked to travel with the company or has had their booking cancelled. It is a sad day for the industry when a long-established business like Fleetway ceases trading.
"However, the ATOL scheme exists for exactly this kind of situation and we are making arrangements so all ATOL protected customers may make a claim."
Rory Boland, Editor of Which? Travel, said: "Seeing yet another travel firm fail during the pandemic is a deeply worrying sign for the industry, particularly as the government simply watches on instead of providing support to companies who need help.
"The collapse of Fleetway Travel will be disappointing for thousands of customers who have been looking forward to a long-awaited holiday. They now face having to pay twice to go away this summer, as they could face a long wait for a refund."
By Lisa James, Deputy Editor (UK)
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Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
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