Travel Network

On the 21st August 2020 Coronavirus claimed another travel victim, with the UK operation of STA Travel ceasing trading. The Swiss-owned business STA Travel AG announced at the weekend that it will cease trading across the world. The BBC reports that the firm’s parent company, Diethelm Keller Holding (DKH), said the pandemic had “brought the travel industry to a standstill”.

STA Travel has removed all the content on their website and just updated the website with a single block of text announcing their insolvency. There are no details on if cash refunds are possible but it’s likely it will be only paid in coupons or vouchers that may not be honoured by airlines, hotels or travel operators.

To our valued customers, .

Due to the recent announcement that STA Travel UK has ceased trading, unfortunately our travel experts are unable to assist you at this time. Please be assured that if you had a previous booking with us, or hold a live booking, you will receive further communication in the coming days. We are sorry for the inconvenience and the limited information available to you at this time

STA Travel has grown from a student focused agency to one focused around volunteerism, gap years and every adventure a young person could think of. The retail operation has more than 50 shops across the UK with atleast 500 jobs now at risk. A spokesperson for the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) said the news would “send a shockwave through the industry, bringing to life the very real pressures that travel is under at the moment”.

STA Travel has over 200 stores globally with around 2 million travellers a year using their services. STA Travel Limited trading as World Travel

Reg No. 01263330 | Priory House, 6 Wrights Lane, London W8 6TA

Advice for STA Travel customers from ABTA

The majority of holidays sold by STA Travel Limited were flight-inclusive packages and these were protected by the CAA’s ATOL scheme, as well as scheduled airline tickets under its IATA licence and as agent for the airline. STA Travel Limited also sold some packages which did not include flights and were protected by ABTA as well as holidays as an agent for other tour operators. 

Bookings made through STA Travel Limited with another tour operator
If you booked a package holiday through STA Travel Limited and the holiday is provided by another tour operator, you will need to contact the tour operator named on your paperwork or ATOL Certificate (listed on your ATOL certificate under “Who is protecting your trip”). Your tour operator should be able to confirm that your booking will proceed as normal.

Your ATOL Certificate will say ’Package Sale’ in the bottom right hand corner, where an ATOL protected package has been booked through STA Travel Limited with another tour operator.

Package STA holidays with flights included
If your booking included flights and was not with another tour operator, you will need to contact the CAA as your booking is protected by the CAA’s ATOL scheme. Further information and advice on how to claim is available on the CAA’s website. Your ATOL Certificate will say ’Package Sale’ in the bottom right hand corner.

STA Flight only (Scheduled airline tickets)
If you booked a flight only with STA Travel Ltd with a scheduled airline, you will need to contact the airline about your booking. The airline is responsible for your booking and this should proceed as normal.

Customers in receipt of a Refund Credit Note for a cancelled flight due to COVID-19 will need to contact the airline to either make a new booking for a later date or to claim a refund with the airline concerned.

Non-flight STA packages
If you booked through a travel agent and not directly with STA Travel Limited please speak to your travel agent first for advice.

If you booked a non-flight package holiday (eg a cruise without flights) through STA Travel Limited, it is protected by ABTA or by your credit or debit card issuer.

If you paid STA Travel Limited directly using a debit or credit card you will need to submit your claim for a refund to your card issuer. To assist you in making your claim you will need to download a letter below. These letters should not be used if you booked via a travel agent and not directly with STA Travel Limited.

Download STA credit card letter
Download STA debit card letter

Customers that paid STA Travel Limited by any other method or booked through a travel agent will need to submit a claim by clicking here. You will need to have all of your booking information and documents to hand when submitting your claim.

Customers requiring further assistance can contact 0330 135 9658 or sta@claims.abta.co.uk. Please note that we will answer calls as quickly as possible but call waiting times may be significant during the current crisis.