Saga - Failure of Flight Options

The announcement that Flight Options has gone into administration is a great shame for both staff and passengers. Thankfully the airline is ATOL protected so it looks like passengers who booked directly with the airline are likely to get their money back.

Whilst those whose flights come as part of a package holiday are protected, independent travellers who book their flights direct with airlines that are not ATOL protected have most to fear as they can be left high and dry if their airline flops.

Saga Travel Insurance's intrepid over 50s customers have airline failure cover included as standard - unlike some other insurers who may offer this cover as a paid for add-on to their standard travel policies. In the event of the scheduled airline with whom you are travelling going into administration, the new cover provides up to £1,500 for each insured person, for the costs of flights paid in advance, or the cost of return flights to the UK.

Roger Ramsden, chief executive, Saga Insurance commented: "It seems all too common that in these uncertain economic times, airlines are suffering with on average two a month going in to administration. In today's challenging climate the savvy independent traveller needs to check if their insurance covers airline failure to travel with peace of mind in 2010."