http://www.caa.co.uk

London-based travel company Flight Options Limited, trading principally as Kiss Flights,

ceased trading this evening, and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has stepped in to protect holidaymakers.

Flight Options Limited

The CAA estimates that around 13,000 people are currently overseas – all of them will be able to complete their holidays and return to the UK.

Around 60,000 people have forward bookings with the company and will be able to claim a full refund for the ATOL-protected elements of their holidays from the CAA. 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.

Flight Options sold charter flights to Mediterranean destinations, under ATOL 4233 mainly through travel agents. The CAA will be arranging repatriation for all Flight Options customers in line with the scheduled end of their holiday.

Advice for Flight Options / Kiss Flights customers with flights leaving the UK before 1800 BST on Wednesday 18 August 2010

These flights will operate as planned, and passengers should go to the airport and check in as normal.

Advice for Flight Options / Kiss Flights customers who are currently overseas

The CAA will ensure that ATOL-protected customers are able to fly home as planned; they should therefore arrive at the airport in time to check-in for their flights home as normal.

In order for customers to determine whether they are ATOL protected or not, they should check that they booked a flight with Flight Options / Kiss Flights. To do this, customers should check the invoice/receipt received at the time the booking was made and paid for.

The company sold only a very small number of package holidays, consequently, in most cases, ATOL protects only the flight element of their holiday. Accommodation booked independently with other firms is not effected by the failure.

Advice for Flight Options / Kiss Flights customers with forward bookings after 1800 BST on Wednesday 18 August 2010

Flight Options / Kiss Flights customers are financially protected under ATOL 4233 and should not travel on booked holidays after 18:00 BST on Wednesday 18 August 2010 but instead should make a claim for a refund from the CAA.

Customers who booked through Flight Options / Kiss Flights should seek advice from their travel agents about alternative travel arrangements.

Contact Details

After 22:00 this evening ATOL-protected Flight Options customers who are currently abroad and experiencing difficulties should contact the CAA for more information on 0044 161 444 5811. Those with forward bookings requiring general advice about refunds under the ATOL scheme can contact the CAA on 0844 571 7262