Holiday chaos as travel firm collapses

Budget travel firm Kiss Flights collapsed tonight, plunging the holiday plans of more than 60,000 Britons into chaos.

The British-based company, which operated flights to Greece, Egypt, Turkey and the Canary Islands, folded after its owner Flight Options ceased trading at 5pm, the Civil Aviation Authority said.

The CAA said 13,000 holidaymakers who had booked trips through the company would get home as normal.

But while the "vast majority" of the 60,000 who had booked future flights with the company will receive refunds, several thousand who had booked package deals through the company could be left out of pocket.

Customers with flights leaving the UK before 6pm tomorrow were told their trips will operate as planned.

A CAA spokesman said: "Because the company has failed at the height of summer, the CAA is also putting in place arrangements to allow people to travel out on their holidays for the next 24 hours, to minimise confusion and protect passengers."

Kiss is the major trading name of Flight Options, which bought the company last year.

Flight Options also traded under the names Africa Options, America Options, Canada Options, Caribbean Options, Dubai Options, Elgouna Options, Elgouna Villas and Apartments, Florida Options, Florida Owners Club, Golf Options, Holidayops.com, Orlando Villas Direct, Sportops.com, Travel Options Direct and Travelplus.

A statement on the Flight Options website read: "As of 1700hrs on 17 August the Flight Options group of companies have ceased trading.

"The Civil Aviation Authority have been informed and we are awaiting further advice on the situation."

Kiss is the latest of a string of British holiday firms to face problems.

vExperts have blamed the economic downturn and ash cloud which threw European travel into turmoil.

More than 1,200 holidaymakers saw their travels plunged into chaos by the collapse of tour operator Sun4u, while Goldtrail went into administration with around 16,000 customers abroad.

Kiss Flights catered for many of the same routes as the recently collapsed Goldtrail.

Travel analyst Bob Atkinson, of www.travelsupermarket.com, said: "Unfortunately for some, it may be the case that some unlucky holidaymakers will be affected all over again.

"At this stage it is unclear how many passengers will be protected by the Atol scheme and we are waiting for advice from the CAA.

"This is sadly yet another collapse in what could become a rash of company failures this autumn."

Kiss Flights customers who are currently abroad can contact the CAA for more information on 0044 161 444 5811. Those with forward bookings requiring general advice about refunds under the Atol (Air Travel Organisers' Licensing) scheme should go to the CAA website or call 0844 571 7262