Lapland operator still hopeful despite advice to close

A TRAVEL operator is still hoping against hope that the state’s aviation regulator will let him fly hundreds of children and their parents to Lapland to meet Santa Claus this month.

The Commission for Aviation Regulation has urged United Travel — which is prohibited from trading — to wind down and refund customers.

The Dublin-based company has over 1,175 bookings for its Lapland package and insists it was ready for takeoff once a tour operator’s licence was issued.