CMA orders Virgin Holidays to refund 53,000 cancelled holidays

The government has ordered a national travel company to refund more than 50,000 customers on holidays that were cancelled due to the pandemic.

Virgin Holidays has been investigated by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) after receiving hundreds of complaints.

Since 1 March, the company has had 53,000 refund requests, and has now been ordered by the CMA to repay all cancelled holidays before the end of the year.

If Virgin Holidays does not repay customers by these dates, the CMA is “prepared to take the company to court”.

Andrea Coscelli, chief executive at the CMA, commented: “People whose holidays have been cancelled due to coronavirus deserve a prompt and full refund.

“Our action means that Virgin Holidays customers should receive all their money back without further delay.

“We are continuing to investigate package holidays in relation to the coronavirus crisis.

“Should we find that any business is not complying with consumer protection law, we won’t hesitate to take action.”