Cox & Kings India is in talks with Iata after being suspended from the airline association’s Billing and Settlement Plan (BSP).

Iata suspended the Indian arm of Cox & Kings this week after the tour operator  defaulted on two debt payments.

However, Cox & Kings UK reported it remains “fully operational” under its own Iata licence.

Cox & Kings India must settle airline ticket payments weekly while suspended from the BSP.

In a statement, Iata said: “Cox & Kings (India) defaulted on its BSP payment subsequent to its suspension from the BSP on June 28.

“Iata remains in dialogue with Cox & Kings to explore whether a resolution can be reached.”

Cox & Kings said in a statement: “Following reports that Iata has suspended the company’s BSP licence, Cox & Kings Travel Ltd (UK) would like to clarify that it is fully operational.

“The situation reported relates only to Cox & Kings (India), which is a separate business operating out of India.

“Cox & Kings Travel Ltd (UK) operates under its own Iata licence and is unaffected by the situation in India. It is therefore business as usual at Cox & Kings Travel (UK).”

Cox & Kings is the oldest name in travel, having been established under the British empire in India in 1758 to arrange the travel of British army officers.

The company is listed on the Mumbai stock exchange.