CUSTOMERS AFFECTED by the collapse of Budget Travel have a “reasonable expectation” to be repatriated or refunded with minimal difficulty, according to a spokesman for the Commission for Aviation Regulation.

The spokesman said passengers who are abroad should stay in touch with resort representative and check Budget notice boards for updates. Return flights will operate as planned this weekend.

Budget customers who have not yet travelled will not be able to do so; however, those who have already made bookings will be entitled to a refund. Refund claims are to be prioritised by date of departure. Claim forms are available to download on the commission’s website at www.aviationreg.ie which will be updated regularly.

Customers who have not yet travelled should check their invoice to see if their booking was made through another tour operator. If so, customers should contact that tour operator directly.

Budget vouchers that have not been exchanged against overseas travel contracts are not refundable from the bond. Customers are advised to either claim back the charge if they paid by credit card or otherwise file a claim with the liquidator, Simon Coyle, at budgettravel@mazars.ie.

The spokesman said the liquidator and Budget were working closely with the commission to process the repatriation of customers and refunds as efficiently as possible. The chief executive of the Irish Travel Agents’ Association, Simon Nugent, said the vast majority of customers should experience minimal problems.

“There is a robust consumer protection system in place in Ireland and there is a lot of money in Budget Travel’s bond to protect people, so from that point of view the vast majority of consumers have nothing to worry about,” he said. However, he warned customers that, due to the numbers affected, they may experience some delays in receiving refunds and should exercise patience.

Budget has an €11.4 million bond with the commission. Tour operators and travel agents trading in Ireland must be bonded to sell overseas travel.