Thousands of holidays could be cancelled this year after a British travel company has fallen into administration. Jetline Travel stopped trading under ATOL in March, meaning upcoming Easter and Summer trips could be at risk without ATOL protection.

The cheap package holiday provider, which had been trading since 2000, held an ATOL for nearly 5,000 passengers. It has been predicted that 800 forward bookings and 20 customers overseas under its cruise holiday agency could be cancelled. According to Travel Weekly, Jetline has reportedly failed to pass on customer payments. The specialist outlet reported: "It is understood Jetline, which traded under multiple brands, had failed to pass on customer payments."

It added: "It had been selling cruises both as a retailer and at net rates, making itself the principal on some bookings."

Several bookings with operators like Princess, Cunard, and Holland America have reportedly since been cancelled due to a “breach of contract” with Jetline. 

All bookings with P&O Cruises had been transferred to them as direct bookings.

The firm appointed a financial recovery specialist firm, Cater Clark, and a restructuring and insolvency firm, Leonard Curtis, on 28 March, registered on Jetline's company pages on the Government website.

Just two years ago, the travel company recorded an operating profit of £655,000 and a transaction turnover of £28.1million. 

The Civil Aviation Authority has advised: “If you are currently overseas and you hold a scheduled flight e-ticket, the flight remains valid for the return journey. You are advised to check-in with the airline as per the existing flight ticket.

“We understand that Jetline Travel Ltd acted as agents for other ATOL holders, these bookings are not protected under the ATOL of Jetline Travel Ltd."

A spokesperson from the Advantage Travel Partnership, which represents Jetline in the travel industry, told The Independent: “We are greatly saddened that Jetline Travel has ceased trading.

"They’ve been a valued member since 2015, and our thoughts are with the customers and staff affected.”