Rescue scramble as Globespan enters administration
Wednesday, 17 Dec, 2009
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The Civil Aviation Authority has stepped in to protect thousands of travellers booked on Globespan package holidays as Scotland’s largest travel company went into administration.
The Edinburgh-based operator and airline had around 1,100 ATOL protected holidaymakers currently abroad on holiday, in Egypt and the Mediterranean.
An estimated 27,000 people with forward bookings for air holiday packages have had their breaks cancelled. Customers are advised not to go the airport and should instead claim a refund, the CAA said.
As a result of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers as administrators, Flyglobespan flight operations ceased last night.
The CAA understands there are approximately 3,400 Flyglobespan customers currently abroad in Spain, including the Balearics and Canaries, Portugal, Cyprus and Egypt.
Flyglobespan passengers abroad have been left stranded and will need to make their own arrangements to return to the UK using alternative airlines.
The airline operated low fare scheduled services from Edinburgh and Glasgow airports to points in Europe, Egypt, the US and Canada. It also operated from Aberdeen, Gatwick, Manchester and Belfast airports.
Other airlines may make available special ‘repatriation’ fares to help Flyglobespan passengers.
There are an estimated 90,000 customers with forward bookings for Flyglobespan flights.
A CAA spokesperson said: “The Globespan Group PLC includes two companies, Globespan, a tour operator that sold package holidays protected by ATOL, and Flyglobespan, an airline whose passengers are not ATOL protected.”
Airlines are outside the ATOL scheme, so people who booked directly with Flyglobespan are not protected, the CAA said.
Flyglobespan customers who paid by debit or charge card are being advised to contact their card company for advice about full or a partial refund where only part of the journey has been completed. Customers with travel insurance should check their policy to see whether airline insolvency cover is included.
Customers of other tour operators booked with Flyglobespan flights should speak to the company they booked with or their travel agent to find out whether or not they are able to travel, the CAA advised.
CAA deputy director of consumer protection David Moesli said: “Customers abroad who have booked a holiday package with the tour operator Globespan are ATOL protected.
“We are making the necessary arrangements to allow people who are currently on a package holiday with Globespan to complete their holidays and fly home.
“Customers will be booked on to new flights by the CAA to bring them home.
“We are making arrangements for overseas representatives to provide information to Globespan customers.”
Globespan customers who are currently abroad should contact the CAA for more information on 0044 203 441 0846. Globespan customers with forward bookings can contact the CAA for more information on 0844 856 2585.
Flyglobespan customers can also call 0871 271 9000 for UK calls and +44141 332 3233 for those calling from Europe.
Information about alternative air services is available on the CAA website: www.atol.org.uk.
*See linked stories.
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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