Holidaymakers stuck at Glasgow Airport after tour operator Goldtrail collapses

Published on Saturday 17 July 2010 16:05

DISAPPOINTED holidaymakers were left stranded at Glasgow Airport after their tour operator collapsed.

The Greece and Turkey specialist Goldtrail went into administration yesterday, the Civil Aviation Authority confirmed.

Unwitting travellers checked in for a flight to Turkey last night before learning just hours later that the trip was cancelled.

A Glasgow Airport spokesman said 180 passengers were due to travel to the resort of Bodrum.

Holidaymakers watched departure boards announce repeated delays before their 8.45pm flight was cancelled at around midnight.

The Glasgow Airport spokesman said: "People had checked in then the company went into administration."

A second charter flight for Turkey, due to leave at 9.30am today, was also cancelled.

The spokesman said that 180 passengers were due to fly to Bodrum last night and a similar number this morning.

A handful of Goldtrail customers who were booked to fly to Dalyan and Bodrum with the Turkish airline Onur Air today will also be forced to make alternative arrangements.

The Glasgow Airport spokesman said that Goldtrail was "a small player in Scotland".

He said: "Turkey is very well served from Scotland and there are lots of holiday companies that can step in."

The spokesman said that Barrhead Travel agent opened earlier than usual today to assist stranded passengers.

He also advised affected customers not to go to the airport but to contact their tour operator for assistance.

A flight bringing Goldtrail customers home from Turkey is due to arrive at Glasgow Airport at around 12.30pm today.

An Edinburgh Airport spokeswoman said that Goldtrail used Onur Air and Turkuaz Airlines to transport customers to Turkey, with flights due out on Tuesday and Thursday.

However, she was unable to confirm if customers of the collapsed firm were booked on to these flights.

Aberdeen Airport and Glasgow Prestwick Airport said their passengers were unaffected by the tour operator's collapse.

Around 16,000 tourists were abroad when Greece and Turkey specialist Goldtrail went into administration yesterday, the Civil Aviation Authority confirmed.

An estimated 2,000 UK customers were due to travel with the budget holiday company this weekend as the summer holiday season gets under way.

Authorities sought to reassure holidaymakers that they could claim back money lost on bookings while alternative flights and accommodation were also available.

The CAA said it was making arrangements to fly customers home at the end of their holiday under its ATOL (Air Travel Organiser's Licensing) scheme.

But no outbound Goldtrail flights were running from UK airports and people planning to set off on holiday were advised to check first, it added.

Goldtrail customers can call the CAA on 0203 4410846 for information.