The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has stepped in to protect passengers after Astonbury Ltd, trading as Skyjet, ceased trading. The Essex-based travel company sold flights to Amritsar in India from Birmingham, on the Austrian airline Comtel.

Skyjet was a licensed ATOL-holder, selling flights under ATOL 6789.

The CAA has taken steps to protect passengers currently abroad and those who had booked future trips with Skyjet. The CAA estimates that there are around 200 people currently overseas and they will be able to return to the UK thanks to the CAA’s ATOL protection scheme. The CAA will be making arrangements to assist repatriation for all customers.

Passengers who booked ATOL-protected trips with Skyjet but have not travelled will be able to claim a full refund from the CAA.

Advice for Skyjet customers who are currently overseas
The CAA will ensure that all Skyjet customers due to fly home in the coming days are able to return to the UK, though this is unlikely to be on the flights they expected to return on. Further information will be placed on the ATOL website in the coming days to let people know how and when they should expect to return to the UK.

Advice for customers of Skyjet who are due to travel
All forward bookings are now cancelled and customers are advised not to go to the airport.

Customers, who contracted ATOL-protected trips with Skyjet will be financially protected under ATOL 6789 and should make a claim for a refund through the CAA. Customers are advised to speak to their travel agent about making a claim under the ATOL Scheme. More information about the claims process is available on the CAA’s website atol.org.uk