The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has confirmed the failure of luxury tour operator and online agent Luxtripper, which suspended operations yesterday (October 19) as it sought financial restructuring.
Luxtripper ceased trading today. The Atol-holder, based in London, traded under its Luxtripper name and online as luxtripper.co.uk.
In a statement, the CAA noted Luxtripper accommodation-only bookings and non-flight packages are not covered by the Atol scheme.
It advised customers with bookings to check they have an Atol certificate with the Luxtripper Atol number 11506.
The CAA is advising Luxtripper clients who are currently overseas and hold a scheduled flight ticket: “The ticket may be valid for the return journey and/or internal flights.
“You are advised to check with the airline(s) as per the existing flight ticket. If the airline advises you that a ticket has not been issued or is not valid for travel, ask them to confirm this in writing and contact us on the number shown on your Atol Certificate.”
The CAA said it is speaking to overseas service providers to guarantee accommodation and other tourist services for those overseas on flight-inclusive packages and customers should not have to pay again.
It advises: “If you are made to pay again for the services that were part of your original trip, please ensure you retain a clear receipt showing the method of payment as this is required for your claim.
“If you pay in cash, you must obtain a cash receipt as you cannot make a claim without this.
“If you are experiencing any issues, contact us on the number shown on your Atol Certificate.”
The CAA said it is collating information from Luxtripper and will update its advice “as soon as possible”.
It advises consumers with Atol-protected bookings due to travel after October 20: “We understand you have been informed your booking will not go ahead. If you have been issued with flight tickets, you are advised to check with the airline to establish if your flight tickets are valid for travel.
“As overseas service providers may not have been paid, if you choose to travel, you may be required to re-arrange and pay for these services again.”
The CAA warns: “If you choose to travel and use your valid flight, you are not protected under the Package Travel Regulations as your package travel provider has ceased to trade. You will therefore be responsible for any risks arising from each individual element of your trip.”
The regulator advises overseas service providers: “We are in the process of emailing you directly regarding Atol protected consumers you have been contracted to provide services for.
“If you have not received any communication from the CAA, please contact us on claims@caa.co.uk with details of those consumers.”
Luxurytripper began notifying customers this week that it had “severe financial difficulties and we are unable to continue” and issued a statement on October 19 announcing its suspension of operations.
The company said it had engaged restructuring specialist ReSolve Advisory to explore an emergency rescue or sale, but advised clients: “The holiday you have booked with us will not be able to go ahead.”
Chief executive Nena Chaletzos said on Thursday: “We are hugely saddened that we were unable to secure adequate funding to help the business during this challenging time.”
However, she said: “We remain confident we can achieve a positive solution.”
The company held an Atol licence for 4,437 passengers. It’s unclear as yet how many customers are overseas and how many hold forward bookings.
Luxtripper was ranked 19th in The Sunday Times annual ranking of the UK’s fastest-growing private companies as recently as July with reported sales of almost £28 million in the year to March 2023.
Customers of the company have set up a Facebook group highlighting their concerns after being unable to make contact with Luxtripper.