A travel company that collapsed leaving 140 Irish people on holidays in Crete uncertain about their return journeys, insisted today that no one would be left “stranded” and that it hoped to have all of them home by next Monday.
Mayo-based Ronane Travel Ltd/Great Escapes, which operated packages from Ireland West Knock Airport, announced on Tuesday that it had closed down. It today blamed the closure on the current difficult economic conditions, including rising fuel costs and competition in the travel market.
Some 480 of its customers were abroad when the announcement was made and the Commission for Aviation Regulation (CAR) has intervened to make arrangements for them to be brought home.
In a statement today, the directors of Ronane Travel Ltd said they wanted to assure customers that they had co-operated fully with the CAR regarding “the unfortunate closure of our business”.
“Ronane Travel Ltd t/a Great Escapes deeply regrets that it was not in a position to respond directly to customers on the instruction of the Commission, as they were handling public contact from there on in,” the statement added.
The directors said they wanted to emphasise that "none of our customers have been left stranded”.
“Through our insurance bond, and with the CAR’s assistance, return flights for all of our customers are being fully honoured and we anticipate that all our customers will be home, as originally scheduled, by Monday next, September 1st.”
Customers who have not yet travelled will be entitled to a full refund, which will be arranged through the regulator.
The directors said they sincerely apologised for inconvenience caused to customers.
“We also deeply regret the loss of jobs for our loyal staff. The closure of our business has not only come at a loss to the local community but at considerable personal financial loss to the directors and shareholders.”
The company said it had to make the “difficult decision” to close the business primarily because of increased fuel costs during the last twelve months, a downturn in business, as noted today by Aer Lingus, and increased competition in the flights and holiday market.
The directors said all the company’s responsibilities to its staff, and its obligations to the Revenue Commissioners, were up to date.
Great Escapes was not affiliated with the Irish Travel Agents Association, but a number of ITAA members had booked packages for customers through the firm.