Thousands affected as Monarch cease trading
At 4:00am BST on Monday 2nd October, Monarch Airlines Ltd, Monarch Holidays Ltd (ATOL Number 2275), First Aviation Ltd (ATOL Number 4888) previously trading as Monarch Airlines, Avro Ltd (ATOL Number 1939) and Somewhere2stay Ltd ceased trading and entered administration, meaning over 860,000 people have lost holiday bookings.
Monarch are advising affected holidaymakers as follows:
- Customers in the UK yet to travel: Don't go to the airport
- Customers abroad: Everyone due to fly on or before 15th October will be brought back to the UK at no cost to them. There is no need to cut short a stay
- Customers currently overseas should check caa.co.uk for confirmation of their new flight details - which will be available a minimum of 48 hours in advance of their original departure time
- All affected customers should keep checking caa.co.uk for more information
Frequently Asked Questions
I’ve booked my holiday with Monarch Holidays, can I claim for this on my travel insurance?
You should have received an ATOL certificate when you made your booking. You’ll be able to submit a claim when a Monarch Claim form is available, which should be within the next few days. Please keep checking the Monarch website.
I want to come home early, can I curtail my trip?
There is no cover to curtail your trip on your travel policy, please follow the advice provided by the CAA with regards to your rescheduled return flight.
I am currently abroad and my policy is due to expire whilst I’m waiting for my re-scheduled return flight – will my cover lapse?
In these instances, your travel policy will automatically extend to provide cover until you are able to return back to the UK on the next available flight.
I have rescheduled my travel arrangements; can I transfer my insurance to my new travel arrangements?
Yes you can. Provided there is no impact on the travel insurance policy premium, we will not charge an administration cost for any amendments. If there is a change that alters the premium due to a change in destination or duration, we will adjust the cost of the travel policy and either refund any monies due or make a charge for the additional premium. Call us from the UK on 0800 068 0060 or +44 (0)203 056 7994 from overseas (selecting option 2 for customer services). Alternatively, send an email to customer.services@columbusdirect.com
I have Scheduled Airline Failure cover on my policy, can I claim under this section?
Providing you meet the terms and conditions as stated in the policy wording – If your costs are irrecoverable from another source you will able to submit a claim. Please note that not all policies provide this cover, so refer to your certificate of insurance, policy summary and wording. Scheduled Airline Failure cover is provided by International Passenger Protection (IPP) and they would manage your claim.
Unable to recover costs from ATOL/Credit Card Company?
If you have booked flight-only tickets, you will not be able to claim back via ATOL. Please submit a claim to IPP. A claim form can be downloaded from the following link - https://www.ipplondon.co.uk/pdf/DPI-add-on-Claim-Form.pdf
If you have paid via a credit or Visa debit card, please contact your bank or credit card provider to request a chargeback.
Useful Information
For those who are still abroad, and want to know how to get home
https://monarch.caa.co.uk/customers/i-am-currently-abroad/my-new-flight/
To check if you are ATOL protected
https://monarch.caa.co.uk/customers/how-do-i-know-if-i-am-atol-protected/
For those who are due to travel
https://monarch.caa.co.uk/customers/i-have-a-future-booking-and-have-not-travelled-yet/
For Monarch Holidays (not including flights)
https://monarch.caa.co.uk/customers/additional-information/customers-of-monarch-holidays/
CAA
0300 303 2800 From UK and Ireland
+44 1753 330330 From overseas
www.monarch.caa.co.uk