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Flight worry after Seguro demise Flight worry after Seguro demise
(about 2 hours later)
Travellers stranded by the collapse of package holiday firm Seguro are facing a shortage of available flights, according to a leading travel agent.Travellers stranded by the collapse of package holiday firm Seguro are facing a shortage of available flights, according to a leading travel agent.
Bill Munro, the owner of Scotland's largest travel agent, Barrhead Travel, said a combination of factors meant there were very few flights to sell.Bill Munro, the owner of Scotland's largest travel agent, Barrhead Travel, said a combination of factors meant there were very few flights to sell.
Almost 2,500 holidaymakers are thought to have been abroad when Seguro went into administration on Wednesday.Almost 2,500 holidaymakers are thought to have been abroad when Seguro went into administration on Wednesday.
The firm flew from airports in Kent and Prestwick in Ayrshire.The firm flew from airports in Kent and Prestwick in Ayrshire.
"It's come at an unfortunate time because there is so little availability just now and I don't think the public realise just how bad it is," said Mr Munro."It's come at an unfortunate time because there is so little availability just now and I don't think the public realise just how bad it is," said Mr Munro.
"It's been exacerbated with Ryanair cancelling flights from Edinburgh through late delivery of aircraft and there's up to 40,000 people there looking for alternative flights."It's been exacerbated with Ryanair cancelling flights from Edinburgh through late delivery of aircraft and there's up to 40,000 people there looking for alternative flights.
Some of the other tour operators are capitalising on it by putting their prices up by £50 to £100 per passenger Bill MunroBarrhead Travel "Of course, there's all the people from Seguro and Zoom Airlines (which went bust last month), so there's very little left to sell unfortunately.Some of the other tour operators are capitalising on it by putting their prices up by £50 to £100 per passenger Bill MunroBarrhead Travel "Of course, there's all the people from Seguro and Zoom Airlines (which went bust last month), so there's very little left to sell unfortunately.
"Some of the other tour operators are capitalising on it by putting their prices up by £50 to £100 per passenger.""Some of the other tour operators are capitalising on it by putting their prices up by £50 to £100 per passenger."
Mr Munro said Barrhead Travel had about 3,000 customers who were due to travel with Seguro when it went into administration.Mr Munro said Barrhead Travel had about 3,000 customers who were due to travel with Seguro when it went into administration.
He advised those affected to contact their local branch or telephone 0141 242 8598 for assistance.He advised those affected to contact their local branch or telephone 0141 242 8598 for assistance.
Prior to the collapse, more than 17,000 people had made advance bookings with Seguro, which operated package holidays and flights to Spain, the Canaries and Portugal.Prior to the collapse, more than 17,000 people had made advance bookings with Seguro, which operated package holidays and flights to Spain, the Canaries and Portugal.
The Macclesfield-based firm blamed its failure on Spanish airline Futura, which operated 80% of its flights.The Macclesfield-based firm blamed its failure on Spanish airline Futura, which operated 80% of its flights.
Futura launched insolvency proceedings, citing high fuel costs.Futura launched insolvency proceedings, citing high fuel costs.
Atol protection
Seguro, which also traded as Seguro Holidays and Kent Escapes, sold mainly through travel agents.Seguro, which also traded as Seguro Holidays and Kent Escapes, sold mainly through travel agents.
Those who have booked a package holiday are likely to be protected by the Air Travel Organisers' Licensing (Atol) system.Those who have booked a package holiday are likely to be protected by the Air Travel Organisers' Licensing (Atol) system.
Travel companies in the Atol scheme lodge a financial guarantee bond with the Civil Aviation Authority which can be used to bring stranded clients home, and compensate those who have future bookings.Travel companies in the Atol scheme lodge a financial guarantee bond with the Civil Aviation Authority which can be used to bring stranded clients home, and compensate those who have future bookings.
Across the UK, airports and tour operators have been trying to reassure passengers caught up in the collapse. More than 2,500 Seguro customers were abroad when it went bustAcross the UK, airports and tour operators have been trying to reassure passengers caught up in the collapse.
'Financially protected'
A spokesperson for Humberside Airport said: "The tour operators Thomson and Thomas Cook are currently looking into alternative flights for all passengers who have been affected.A spokesperson for Humberside Airport said: "The tour operators Thomson and Thomas Cook are currently looking into alternative flights for all passengers who have been affected.
"For any queries, can customers please contact the tour operator direct.""For any queries, can customers please contact the tour operator direct."
A spokesman for Thomson said: "First Choice and Thomson can confirm we have a minimal number of passengers travelling with Futura each week.A spokesman for Thomson said: "First Choice and Thomson can confirm we have a minimal number of passengers travelling with Futura each week.
"Alternative flights are currently being confirmed for customers booked to travel imminently and options are being explored for those customers travelling at a later date."Alternative flights are currently being confirmed for customers booked to travel imminently and options are being explored for those customers travelling at a later date.
"We would like to reassure our customers that as an Atol bonded company, our holidays are financially protected, including any Thomson or First Choice package holiday incorporating Futura flights.""We would like to reassure our customers that as an Atol bonded company, our holidays are financially protected, including any Thomson or First Choice package holiday incorporating Futura flights."


Are you affected by the issues in this story? Do you have a holiday booked with Seguro? Send us your comments using the form below.Are you affected by the issues in this story? Do you have a holiday booked with Seguro? Send us your comments using the form below.
In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.
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