Concerns about collapsed travel firm Kiss Flights emerged some time ago.

The Cooperative Travel Group decided not to sell Kiss tickets because of worries about its business model.

The head of Cooperative Travel Group raised his concerns with airline regulators when Kiss Flights was formed.

Kiss, which sold flights on charter airlines, folded on Tuesday, disrupting the holiday plans of more than 70,000 customers.

Co-operative Travel Group managing director has said the collapse of seat-only operator Kiss Flights has finally confirmed his suspicions.

He vowed never to sell Kiss Flights which launched shortly after the demise of XL Leisure Group because he was wary of companies that evolved out of failures.

He raised his concerns with the CAA when Kiss was set up by parent company Flight Options.

He said: "We were sceptical, and that was really based on the fact that we didn't think that the business model... was sustainable.

We took a commercial decision not to sell [Kiss] flights.

You have to have form to be able to do what you do, and identify your USP. You got to do a lot of research and get a lot of support in the bag before you launch.