Eleven travel companies have entered liquidation across recent months, causing widespread flight cancellations and staff redundancies as the UK travel industry grapples with the impact of conflict in the Middle East. Since the start of the year, holiday packages have been cancelled, leaving customers scrambling for refunds or compensation.
Oxfordshire Firms Among First to Fall
In Oxfordshire, coach and passenger land transport services Oxfordshire Travel Limited, based near Kidlington, entered liquidation in October 2025 after a decade of operation. Liquidators concluded the business could no longer continue trading or meet its debts. Set Sail Cruises Ltd, also in Oxfordshire, was dissolved on March 17, 2026, cancelling all planned sailings. The agency, incorporated on February 4, 2024, was only two years old at the time of closure.
The Padel Travel Club Limited, also in Oxfordshire, closed with roughly £41,000 in short-term debts. Any trips that had not yet commenced were cancelled. The business, incorporated in February 2023, has been removed from the Companies House register following a voluntary strike-off. According to documents, the company closed with short-term debts exceeding £40,000 and insufficient assets to repay creditors in full, though a final liquidation statement is not yet available.
ATOL-Licensed Agencies Lose Licences
London-based Regen Central Ltd, an ATOL-licensed travel agency selling flight-and-hotel packages to Europe and Southeast Asia, lost its ATOL on January 13 and subsequently fell into liquidation, cancelling all bookings. Simply Florida Travel Ltd, based in Glasgow, known for selling "dream holidays" including trips to Disney World, was removed as an ATOL holder after dissolving in early January, leaving holidaymakers seeking refunds as all packages and flights were cancelled.
Gold Crest Holidays, coach-tour operators in the UK and overseas, also collapsed and ceased trading in early 2026. Following the liquidation, all staff were made redundant.
Other Closures Since 2025
Many other travel companies have stopped trading or dissolved since 2025, including Asiara UK Ltd, Jetline Travel Ltd, Great Little Escapes LLP, and New Era Travel. Most recently, Strachan Travel Ltd, based in Lancashire and incorporated in 1983, entered voluntary liquidation. Resolutions for winding up were documented on June 11, and liquidators were appointed on June 16, according to The Gazette.
Industry Impact and Outlook
The closures come amid travel uncertainty due to government and airline warnings linked to the war in the Middle East. However, with a recent agreement signed, several travel restrictions have been lifted, creating hope for the industry's recovery.
