UK holiday company Ickenham Travel Group goes bust after 55 years
A British travel firm has fallen into administration after 55 years in business.
Ickenham Travel Group ceased trading in November, the CAA announced.
Founded in 1970 by Peter Reglar, the company also traded under the names Abu Dhabi Holidays, Ras Al Khaimah Holidays and Letsgo2.
Customers who were returning home after being away on November 20 were advised to contact their airline shown on the existing ticket.
People due to travel since then have been told their holiday package may or may not be valid depending on the terms and whether it is ATOL protected.
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The CAA said in a statement: ‘If the airline confirms you have a valid ticket for travel, you may have the option to travel.
‘However, other services may not have been paid to the local suppliers, and you will be required to re-arrange and pay for these services again.’
In this instance, passengers have two options for their upcoming holiday.
Firstly, they can use the flight and then claim back money spent on replacement services, including accommodation and airport transfers.
Replacement items must match the standard of the original booking, ATOL confirmed.
Those who do use their valid flight ticket may not be protected in the same way as in the original booking in the event of unforeseen circumstances such as cancellation, the regulator added.
It said: ‘You will therefore be responsible for any risks arising from each individual element of your trip which would have previously been protected.’
Alternatively, people can claim a full refund if they do not wish to use the flight portion.
Customers whose holiday was cancelled before Ickenham went into administration are able to make a claim to be reimbursed by ATOL.
Founded as high street travel shop, LetsGo2 had branches in Harrow, Hillingdon, Rickmansworth and Northwood, before converting to an online-only model in 2005.
It comes amid a trying time for travel industry, with several familiar brands having disappeared from the high street.
Earlier this year, ATOL announced that Great Little Escapes ceased trading.
The closure of the Berkshire-based firm followed that of Balkan Holidays, which specialised in escapes to Bulgaria.
Balkan Holidays offered departures from more UK airports than any other operator, but was reporting passenger numbers well below its peak of 130,000.
What rights do you have if the company cancels your package holiday?
Customers are entitled to a full refund if their holiday is cancelled by the tour operator.
This is thanks to protections granted by the CAA, through the ATOL (Air Travel Organisers Licensing) scheme, which applies to all package holidays booked with a flight.
On some occasions, ATOL may find another company or provider to take over your trip, although this is far from guaranteed to happen.
And while the holiday will be refunded under the rules, all extras purchased outside the package will not eligible reimbursement.
ATOL explains on its website: ‘If you are due to travel on an ATOL protected trip and your travel company has ceased as an ATOL holder, we will offer advice on what steps to take.’
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