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| Version 30 | Version 31 |
|---|---|
| Holiday firm XL in administration | Holiday firm XL in administration |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Tens of thousands of Britons are stranded abroad after the country's third largest package holiday group went into administration. | Tens of thousands of Britons are stranded abroad after the country's third largest package holiday group went into administration. |
| The XL Leisure Group, which operates XL airlines, flies to 50 destinations, mainly in the Mediterranean. | The XL Leisure Group, which operates XL airlines, flies to 50 destinations, mainly in the Mediterranean. |
| Chairman Phil Wyatt said he was "totally devastated" by the failure which has grounded all XL planes. | Chairman Phil Wyatt said he was "totally devastated" by the failure which has grounded all XL planes. |
| He said 67,000 people were already abroad. The Civil Aviation Authority said 200,000 had advance bookings. | |
| "We've made every effort, myself and my fellow directors, to find new funding for the business - and it's a very sad day for me personally. I am totally devastated," XL chairman Phil Wyatt said. | "We've made every effort, myself and my fellow directors, to find new funding for the business - and it's a very sad day for me personally. I am totally devastated," XL chairman Phil Wyatt said. |
| David Clover, a spokesman for the CAA, said it was making arrangements to help customers of the four tour companies within the XL group. | David Clover, a spokesman for the CAA, said it was making arrangements to help customers of the four tour companies within the XL group. |
| "In respect of people who are currently abroad we're making arrangements and working very closely with the travel industry to organise repatriation flights. | "In respect of people who are currently abroad we're making arrangements and working very closely with the travel industry to organise repatriation flights. |
| Stranded passengers voice their frustration | Stranded passengers voice their frustration |
| "Clearly though, with XL Airways no longer operating, we're having to bring in substitute aircraft to bring people home." | "Clearly though, with XL Airways no longer operating, we're having to bring in substitute aircraft to bring people home." |
| He said package deals are covered by the CAA's Air Travel Organisers' Licensing (ATOL) scheme and those customers will be offered repatriation flights or their money back if they have an advance booking. | He said package deals are covered by the CAA's Air Travel Organisers' Licensing (ATOL) scheme and those customers will be offered repatriation flights or their money back if they have an advance booking. |
| However, those who booked directly with the airline or XL.com - who are in the minority according to the CAA - will face a fee. | However, those who booked directly with the airline or XL.com - who are in the minority according to the CAA - will face a fee. |
| Anyone yet to take their flights should check their insurance policies, and with their banks or credit card companies about refunds, he added. | |
| Economic downturn | Economic downturn |
| In the US, one flight from Orlando to Manchester managed to set off while another bound for Gatwick was grounded. A source at the airport said accommodation was being found for the "distressed" passengers. | |
| XL COMPANIES XL Leisure GroupXL Airways UKExcel AviationExplorer HouseAspire HolidaysFreedom FlightsFreedom Flights (Aviation)The Really Great Holiday CompanyMedlife HotelsTravel City FlightsKosmar Villa Holidays Q&A: Options for passengersIn quotes: XL collapseSend us your comments | |
| XL is the latest travel business to face financial difficulties, as the industry struggles with high fuel costs and an economic downturn. | |
| "As the travel industry matures in Europe, there was always going to be pressure on those operating in the mid-market," said Lastminute.com chief executive Ian McCaig. | "As the travel industry matures in Europe, there was always going to be pressure on those operating in the mid-market," said Lastminute.com chief executive Ian McCaig. |
| An XL pilot, who did not wish to be named, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme he was "completely shocked" by the news the company had gone bust. | An XL pilot, who did not wish to be named, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme he was "completely shocked" by the news the company had gone bust. |
| He said he was only told in the early hours of Friday morning, and blamed the demise on the rising cost of fuel. | He said he was only told in the early hours of Friday morning, and blamed the demise on the rising cost of fuel. |
| The XL group, which is based in Crawley, West Sussex, runs an airline and owns several travel companies, including Travel City Direct, Medlife Hotels Limited, The Really Great Holiday Company, Freedom Flights and Kosmar Holidays. | The XL group, which is based in Crawley, West Sussex, runs an airline and owns several travel companies, including Travel City Direct, Medlife Hotels Limited, The Really Great Holiday Company, Freedom Flights and Kosmar Holidays. |
| CAA EMERGENCY HELPLINE Customers abroad: +44 (0) 2891 856547Customers in the UK with advance bookings: 0870 5900927 Job fears for Welsh call centreFlights grounded at GlasgowNorthern Irish holidaymakers hitPassengers turned away at airportTourists stranded in Greece | CAA EMERGENCY HELPLINE Customers abroad: +44 (0) 2891 856547Customers in the UK with advance bookings: 0870 5900927 Job fears for Welsh call centreFlights grounded at GlasgowNorthern Irish holidaymakers hitPassengers turned away at airportTourists stranded in Greece |
| The group, which carried 2.3 million passengers last year, has 1,700 employees worldwide. | The group, which carried 2.3 million passengers last year, has 1,700 employees worldwide. |
| A statement on the group's website said: "The companies entered into administration having suffered as a result of volatile fuel prices, the economic downturn, and were unable to obtain further funding." | A statement on the group's website said: "The companies entered into administration having suffered as a result of volatile fuel prices, the economic downturn, and were unable to obtain further funding." |
| Rival holiday firm TUI warned that rising fuel costs meant that "airlines with less than robust business models" - such as XL and Futura - were now failing. | Rival holiday firm TUI warned that rising fuel costs meant that "airlines with less than robust business models" - such as XL and Futura - were now failing. |
| It warned that the government should take steps to ensure all holiday companies must belong to the Atol scheme. which offers package holiday makers financial protection. | It warned that the government should take steps to ensure all holiday companies must belong to the Atol scheme. which offers package holiday makers financial protection. |
| Precarious | Precarious |
| The company flies mainly from bases at Gatwick, Manchester and Glasgow airports. | The company flies mainly from bases at Gatwick, Manchester and Glasgow airports. |
| FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme | FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme |
| Travel writer Simon Calder warned that many thousands of XL customers hoping to fly to the Caribbean, Mediterranean, North Africa and North America, from airports across the UK in coming weeks and days "simply won't be going anywhere". | Travel writer Simon Calder warned that many thousands of XL customers hoping to fly to the Caribbean, Mediterranean, North Africa and North America, from airports across the UK in coming weeks and days "simply won't be going anywhere". |
| Jim Duwaine, from Portsmouth, said he was given the news when he arrived at Gatwick where he had been due to catch an early morning flight to Menorca. | Jim Duwaine, from Portsmouth, said he was given the news when he arrived at Gatwick where he had been due to catch an early morning flight to Menorca. |
| He said: "Absolutely devastated. Got up at midnight planning on going on holiday, but got let down, unfortunately. We're here, just trying to get some other flights, but it's not looking good. I think everyone else has got the same idea." | He said: "Absolutely devastated. Got up at midnight planning on going on holiday, but got let down, unfortunately. We're here, just trying to get some other flights, but it's not looking good. I think everyone else has got the same idea." |
| Also among those affected are a 130-strong choir on tour to Canada who were booked on Zoom and lost £50k when it folded last month, and then re-booked with XL. | Also among those affected are a 130-strong choir on tour to Canada who were booked on Zoom and lost £50k when it folded last month, and then re-booked with XL. |
| XL is the current kit sponsor of West Ham United football club. | XL is the current kit sponsor of West Ham United football club. |
| Are you affected by the issues in this story? Do you have a holiday booked with XL? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below. | Are you affected by the issues in this story? Do you have a holiday booked with XL? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below. |
| In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. | In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. |