In a short message posted on its website on Thursday (24 April), the operator stressed it had “not gone into liquidation” but confirmed all clients would be informed of its decision and refunded in full. The Bulgaria specialist confirmed customers currently abroad would be unaffected by its decision. 

“May we kindly ask for patience as we process the refunds and appreciate your understanding,” it added. “Thank you for your past business and please accept our most sincere apologies for the disappointment and inconvenience.” 

For refunds, direct clients have been told to email refunds@balkanholidays.co.uk, while customers who booked through a travel agent must email the agency. Travel agents can email refundagents@balkanholidays.co.uk. 

Balkan Holidays UK managing director Alexander Stoyanov said: “It is really sad the company should cease trading in the UK after all these years.  

“The company is solvent, but it has become increasingly difficult to be competitive and profitable in the UK. Nobody will be left out of pocket and all suppliers will be paid and I thank them sincerely for their support over the years.”

Stoyanov added: “I am really sorry to disappoint our loyal customers and the fantastic travel agents, who have booked holidays with us for this summer and beyond and have given us so much business over the years; all customers will be refunded in full.”

Stoyanov said redundancies would be "unavoidable". Balkan Holidays was licensed to carry 27,817 Atol-protected passengers in the year to the end of March 2026.

The operator offered a summer programme to Bourgas for beach holidays and also chartered its own flights to Sofia for skiing and snowboarding holidays. 

In addition, the company offered holidays to Croatia, Montenegro, Slovenia, Malta and northern Cyprus. It offered departures from 17 UK airports and at its peak the company carried over 130,000 passengers in a single year.