Passengers have been left stranded at Glasgow Airport after the collapse of holiday firm XL led to the cancellation of their flight to Tenerife.
Passengers have been left stranded at Glasgow Airport after the collapse of holiday firm XL led to the cancellation of their flight to Tenerife.
The firm said overnight that high fuel costs had forced it into administration and all flights had been cancelled.
The firm said overnight that high fuel costs had forced it into administration and all flights had been cancelled.
XL destinations from Glasgow included Corfu, Tenerife and Florida.
XL destinations from Glasgow included Corfu, Tenerife and Florida.
A return flight from Tenerife at 1700 BST has also been grounded. The Civil Aviation Authority said it was working to return 85,000 Britons from abroad.
A return flight from Tenerife at 1700 BST has also been grounded. The Civil Aviation Authority said it was working to return 85,000 Britons from abroad.
The CAA said it was working with XL's administrators and other tour operators to allow them to complete their holidays and get them home.
The CAA said it was working with XL's administrators and other tour operators to allow them to complete their holidays and get them home.
XL COMPANIES XL Leisure GroupXL Airways UKExcel AviationExplorer HouseAspire HolidayFreedom FlightsFreedom Flights (Aviation)The Really Great Holiday CompanyMedlife HotelsTravel City FlightsKosmar Villa Holidays
XL COMPANIES XL Leisure GroupXL Airways UKExcel AviationExplorer HouseAspire HolidayFreedom FlightsFreedom Flights (Aviation)The Really Great Holiday CompanyMedlife HotelsTravel City FlightsKosmar Villa Holidays
Passengers arriving at Glasgow Airport in the early hours of Friday morning to check in for a 0700 BST XL flight to Tenerife were handed a leaflet saying the company had gone into administration.
Passengers arriving at Glasgow Airport in the early hours of Friday morning to check in for a 0700 BST XL flight to Tenerife were handed a leaflet saying the company had gone into administration.
Morag Taylor, from Hertfordshire, travelled to Scotland overnight to pick up a fellow traveller to Tenerife.
Morag Taylor, from Hertfordshire, travelled to Scotland overnight to pick up a fellow traveller to Tenerife.
"I drove 400 miles to Stranraer last night, then to Perth to pick up my boyfriend's mother," she said.
"I drove 400 miles to Stranraer last night, then to Perth to pick up my boyfriend's mother," she said.
"We got to the airport at 3am only to be confronted with a letter to say our flight had been cancelled. That was the first we knew of it.
"We got to the airport at 3am only to be confronted with a letter to say our flight had been cancelled. That was the first we knew of it.
"I actually spoke to Freedom Flights this morning to try to book an extra flight for a friend of ours and they didn't say one word about this problem."
"I actually spoke to Freedom Flights this morning to try to book an extra flight for a friend of ours and they didn't say one word about this problem."
Jean Bryan, from Barrhead, was also due on the flight to Tenerife.
Jean Bryan, from Barrhead, was also due on the flight to Tenerife.
She said: "I'm very upset. This has been booked since March - I work all year for this holiday."
She said: "I'm very upset. This has been booked since March - I work all year for this holiday."
Clearly the price of fuel is having a major effect on all airlines and consequently onto tour operators Roddy McPheeAbta Scotland
Clearly the price of fuel is having a major effect on all airlines and consequently onto tour operators Roddy McPheeAbta Scotland
A further 200,000 people also have advance bookings.
The collapse of XL has had a knock-on effect on passengers of other tour operators.
A ScotTravel flight to Dalaman in Turkey, which was chartered from XL, was due to depart Glasgow Airport on Friday at 1825 BST.
However, it has been rescheduled to 0145 BST on Saturday after the operator found a substitute plane from the Turkish airline Freebird.
Another ScotTravel flight to Dalaman, originally due to depart at 2255 BST on Saturday, has been rescheduled to 0705 BST on Saturday.
A further 200,000 people also have advance bookings with XL.
Alex Robertson, 35, from Glasgow, who works in Moray, was due to fly in October to Majorca with his wife and two children.
Alex Robertson, 35, from Glasgow, who works in Moray, was due to fly in October to Majorca with his wife and two children.
He said: "I booked the flights, costing more than £1,000 on XL.com with a visa debit card. If I had got into debt and used a credit card I would've got a total refund.
He said: "I booked the flights, costing more than £1,000 on XL.com with a visa debit card. If I had got into debt and used a credit card I would've got a total refund.
"Insurance does not cover the collapse of the company and my bank tells me they will ask the administrators for a refund, though my chances appear remote.
"Insurance does not cover the collapse of the company and my bank tells me they will ask the administrators for a refund, though my chances appear remote.
"There has to be greater consumer protection in these circumstances. This is the third largest holiday firm in the UK, if they can go under then no-one is safe."
"There has to be greater consumer protection in these circumstances. This is the third largest holiday firm in the UK, if they can go under then no-one is safe."
Economic downturn
Economic downturn
XL owned an airline and several travel companies, including Travel City Direct and the Really Great Holiday company, and operated from three bases including one in Glasgow.
XL owned an airline and several travel companies, including Travel City Direct and the Really Great Holiday company, and operated from three bases including one in Glasgow.
The company blamed its demise on the high cost of fuel and the economic downturn.
The company blamed its demise on the high cost of fuel and the economic downturn.
The CAA said anyone who was due to travel from the UK should not go to their departure airport.
The CAA said anyone who was due to travel from the UK should not go to their departure airport.
Most customers should get a refund, but people who booked through XL's website or call centre without using a credit card or a Visa debit card will not get their money back.
Most customers should get a refund, but people who booked through XL's website or call centre without using a credit card or a Visa debit card will not get their money back.
Roddy McPhee, the chairman of the travel association, Abta Scotland, said he had not seen such events in the industry before.
Roddy McPhee, the chairman of the travel association, Abta Scotland, said he had not seen such events in the industry before.
"I've been in the industry a very long time and clearly the price of fuel is having a major effect on all airlines and consequently onto tour operators," he said.
"I've been in the industry a very long time and clearly the price of fuel is having a major effect on all airlines and consequently onto tour operators," he said.
"The airlines are having to review all of their business models at this stage, whether they are budget carriers or major scheduled airlines."
"The airlines are having to review all of their business models at this stage, whether they are budget carriers or major scheduled airlines."
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.
