Public Interest Petition Hearing Listed for World Airfares Limited
A public interest petition regarding World Airfares Limited (company number 16191500) is listed for hearing at the High Court of Justice in London on 25 August 2026. The proceedings, registered under case reference CR-2026-005968 in the Insolvency and Companies Court, are scheduled for 11:30am in hearing room 10 at The Rolls Building.
Public interest petitions represent a distinct class of court proceedings brought by the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, typically following statutory investigations into corporate governance, trading practices, or protection of public funds.
Hearing details
The following summary reflects entries recorded on the official High Court cause list:
| Attribute | Details |
| :--- | :--- |
| Company Name | World Airfares Limited |
| Company Number | 16191500 |
| Case Number | CR-2026-005968 |
| Court Division | High Court of Justice, Chancery Division (Insolvency and Companies Court) |
| Case Classification | Public Interest Petitions |
| Hearing Date & Time | 25 August 2026 at 11:30am |
| Venue | Hearing Room 10, The Rolls Building, 7 Rolls Buildings, Fetter Lane, London EC4A 1NL |
Daily hearing updates across High Court lists can be reviewed via the today's winding-up petitions list and the broader High Court official roll.
Company snapshot
According to public filings on the Companies House register, World Airfares Limited was incorporated on 17 January 2025. The company's corporate details comprise:
- Registered Office: 128 City Road, London, United Kingdom, EC1V 2NX
- Company Status: Active
- Standard Industrial Classification (SIC):
- 79110 (Travel agency activities)
- 79120 (Tour operator activities)
Because the business was incorporated in early 2025, statutory financial statements have not yet reached their initial statutory filing deadline under section 442 of the Companies Act 2006. As a result, public balance sheet data and profit figures are not available on the public register.
Statutory basis of public interest petitions
Public interest petitions differ fundamentally from commercial winding-up petitions presented by unpaid trade creditors under section 123 of the Insolvency Act 1986. Under section 124A of the Act, the Secretary of State may present a petition to wind up a UK company if it appears that it is expedient in the public interest for the entity to be wound up.
Such petitions commonly follow non-public statutory enquiries conducted by The Insolvency Service under section 447 of the Companies Act 1985 or section 437 of the Companies Act 1985. Grounds often involve consumer detriment, misleading commercial representations, operating without required statutory licences, or financial opacity.
Directors and ownership
Under UK corporate law, corporate officers are subject to statutory duties outlined in sections 171 to 177 of the Companies Act 2006. The registered office address recorded for World Airfares Limited at 128 City Road is a known multi-occupancy business centre and virtual office provider in central London.
Statutory disclosure records on Companies House show officers and persons with significant control (PSCs) appointed at incorporation. Creditors and counterparties examining risk exposure should review officer histories across connected corporate entities to assess cross-directorship patterns.
Recent filings and Gazette activity
At present, public records show no prior statutory advertisements in The Gazette regarding compulsory winding-up orders against the company. A petition listing does not mean a winding-up order has been granted; the High Court judge will evaluate the petition arguments presented by the applicant and any defense raised by the company during the scheduled hearing.
Counterparty risk analysis and practical steps
Commercial partners, merchant acquirers, flight aggregators, and travel suppliers dealing with entities subject to public interest petitions face unique operational legal risks. Unlike standard debt disputes, public interest proceedings can result in immediate provisional liquidation appointments or direct court-ordered winding-up orders.
Counterparty assessment framework
Counterparties evaluating active contracts with World Airfares Limited should follow a structured review process:
1. Review contract termination clauses: Check whether insolvency proceedings or court petitions trigger automatic termination rights or contract suspension provisions.
2. Examine credit exposure: Quantify outstanding forward bookings, unbilled passenger travel, or uncollected merchant payments.
3. Perform a winding up petition search: Verify whether companion petitions or statutory demand notices have been filed by commercial counterparties.
4. Monitor registered charges: Check for existing fixed or floating charges that could dictate asset priority upon liquidator appointment.
5. Audit compliance status: For travel operators, verify current bonding or regulatory registration status with relevant aviation or travel authorities.
Practical scenario: travel inventory supplier
Consider an independent travel wholesaler supplying seat inventory to a flight broker facing a High Court public interest listing. If the wholesaler continues delivering ticket inventory without verifying court cause lists, any post-petition payments received could face clawback under section 127 of the Insolvency Act 1986 if a winding-up order is subsequently made, unless validated by the court.
To manage this exposure, legal teams establish automated monitoring to flag High Court petitions prior to processing unsecured credit extensions.
How to investigate further
Professionals investigating high-risk corporate counterparties typically rely on fragmented sources: manual checks of the High Court cause lists, periodic reviews of the London Gazette, and manual refreshes of Companies House filings. This manual approach risks missing critical window periods between petition presentation and advertisement.
Corp Intel consolidates High Court cause lists, statutory filings, and insolvency listings into a single legal data pipeline. You can perform a targeted search on any entity using our national database, view daily listings via the today's winding-up petitions list, or establish continuous risk coverage by setting up free company monitoring to receive instant notifications when court proceedings or statutory entries are published.
FAQ
What is a public interest winding-up petition?
A public interest petition is a statutory proceeding brought under section 124A of the Insolvency Act 1986 by the Secretary of State for Business and Trade. It seeks to wind up a company in the public interest following an investigation by The Insolvency Service.
How does a public interest petition differ from a creditor petition?
A creditor petition is filed under section 123 of the Insolvency Act 1986 by a commercial creditor seeking recovery of an unpaid debt exceeding £750. A public interest petition is presented by government regulators focused on public protection, trading fairness, or regulatory compliance.
Does listing on the court cause list mean the company is insolvent?
No. A cause list listing confirms that a petition hearing has been scheduled before an Insolvency and Companies Court judge. Winding up is not automatic; the court determines whether to grant an order, dismiss the petition, or adjourn the hearing based on evidence presented.
Can suppliers continue trading with a company named in a petition?
Trading with a company subject to an active petition involves legal and financial risk. Under section 127 of the Insolvency Act 1986, any disposition of company property made after the commencement of the winding-up (the date of petition presentation) is void unless the court orders otherwise.
Disclaimer
This report summarises entries on the published court cause list. Presentation of a petition is not a determination of insolvency; the outcome is a matter for the court. Companies believing they are named incorrectly should email contact@corp-intel.co.uk.