Thousands stranded as operator goes bust
A British tour operator has collapsed leaving thousands of holidaymakers stranded abroad, the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has confirmed.
Greece and Turkey specialist Goldtrail Travel Ltd went into administration, with an estimated 16,000 people overseas.
The CAA said it was making arrangements to fly stranded holidaymakers home at the end of their holiday under its ATOL (Air Travel Organiser's Licensing) scheme.
The aviation regulator's Andy Cohen was quoted by Travel Weekly as saying the authority was still "in the dark on detail" about the failure.
But he said it was not on the scale of XL Leisure Group, which collapsed in September 2008 and left 60,000 holidaymakers overseas.
The CAA said the majority of flights home from Turkey will operate as normal.
But holidaymakers in Greece were warned to expect changes to flights and are advised to check with representatives at local airports.
The CAA said there were no more outbound Goldtrail flights.
It advised customers due to fly with the failed operator to check with their travel agent before leaving for the airport.
Goldtrail, trading as Goldtrail Holidays, Goldtrail Travel and Sunmar, was based in New Malden, Surrey.
The firm operated flights and holiday packages from many UK airports to Turkey and Greece. It sold mainly through travel agents.
Malta Tourism Authority officers are reportedly investigating the matter in a bid to assist possible stranded tourists linked to the Goldtrail collapse.
