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Holidays 4U ceases trading with thousands abroad

Turkey specialist Holidays 4U has ceased trading. The company went into administration after advising the Civil Aviation Authority that its credit had dried up, leading the regulator to call in its bond and security.

Holidays 4U staff in Brighton were informed this morning. The company has about 12,000 holidaymakers overseas and 40,000-50,000 forward bookings, although the CAA has yet to confirm the figures.

An Atol-holder, Holidays 4U was licensed to carry 66,000 passengers during July to September and more than 100,000 a year.

Two flights departed the UK this morning with Holidays 4U customers.

12,000 - The number of clients Holidays 4U has overseas at the time of its failure, according to CAA estimatesHolidaymakers should complete their holidays without a problem. The company’s flying was handled exclusively by Istanbul-based Onur Air, with departures from several UK regional airports, and the carrier has indicated it will assist with any repatriation flights.

The company has offices in Marmaris and Bodrum in addition to its head office in Brighton. It was registered as Holidays 4 UK Ltd and also traded as Aegean Flights, Accommodation Overseas and Holiday Beds.

Holidays 4U has been trading since 1994, but had to provide a bond and additional security in order to renew its Atol licence in March this year. However, the bond and security will not cover the full costs of repatriation and refunds, with the failure likely to cost the Air Travel Trust fund an estimated £5 million.

The company described itself as an “independent specialist in providing cheap Turkish holidays”. It was an Abta member, sold direct to consumers and seat-only to the trade at the lower end of the market.

It is understood Holidays 4U had found trading difficult for several months amid a downturn in UK consumer spending which has hit demand for cheaper-priced holidays and the market to Turkey, in particular.

Holidays 4U failure: Contacts for consumers


Abta claims department

CAA

  • H4U customers abroad: 00 44 161 444 5810
  • H4U forward bookings: 08444 933 037
  • CAA standard contact number: 0207 453 6424
  • Email: advice@caa.co.uk
  • Post: K3 CAA House, 45-59 Kingsway, London WC2B 6TE
  • Download an H4U claim form (pdf)

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