Long-haul travel firm goes bust

Online long-haul travel company Dreamticket has ceased trading following the collapse of parent company Selsdon Travel.

The Civil Aviation Authority has been called in to protect customers who had booked trips with the Croydon-based firm.

It said the company was licensed to carry 17,000 passengers a year. At the time of its collapse, it had 600 customers overseas and 4,000 advance bookings.

Dreamticket sold holidays on scheduled flights to the Indian Ocean, Middle East, Far East, Africa and the Caribbean.

The CAA is making arrangements for customers abroad to complete their holidays and return to the UK and to fully refund those with forward bookings.

Passengers currently overseas are advised to go to the airport as ticketed and return to the UK. They may be asked to repay their hotel bills, in which case they must obtain receipts and claim the money back from the CAA when they return home.

Customers who are abroad and experiencing difficulties should call the CAA on 0044 161 444 5810.

Customers who were due to travel at a later date should go to the CAA website for advice about refunds, or call 08444 933037.

With permission from Travelmole

Defunct Dreamticket customers thrown a lifeline

Long-haul operator Tropical Sky has acquired the assets of Croydon-based Dreamticket, which went into liquidation on Monday.

The south London agency told customers who had booked holidays with a credit card to contact their credit card holder to get their money back. All other customers were advised to contact the CAA.

But Tropical Sky managing director Mike Collins said: "We are working with the airlines and hotels to ensure all current bookings are safe. We have set up a task force who, throughout this bank holiday weekend, will be contacting each of the 4,000 customers yet to travel. The special hotline for all Dreamticket customers is 0844 411 7188."

With permission from Travelmole