Tens of thousands of holidaymakers have been stranded
The group, which had still been taking bookings until recently, said it had been hit by rising fuel costs and the credit crunch.The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and other travel companies launched a major operation to help holidaymakers stranded by the collapse.
XL Airways' base airports are Gatwick and Manchester, but the airline also flies into Birmingham, East Midlands, Newcastle, Bristol, Glasgow and Belfast. The airline had a fleet of 15 planes this year. Administrators Kroll said customers who booked packages with the group's tour operators were protected by the CAA's ATOL scheme.
But people who booked flights directly with XL Airways were not covered.Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly said everything possible was being done to get stranded holidaymakers home. She said "The industry has reacted well to this collapse of a major tour company and are assisting the CAA with the recovery plans to ensure that affected passengers are repatriated as soon as possible.
"Passengers yet to travel should make alternative arrangements, while those already on holiday will be brought home on flights arranged by the CAA, the statement said.Customers who booked through four tour operators - The Really Great Holiday Company, Kosmar Holidays, Freedom Flights, and Aspire Holidays - are protected under the Air Travel Organisers' Licensing (ATOL) scheme, it said.
However, those who booked direct with an XL Group company were urged to contact ATOL immediately. The XL statement 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.It estimated there were 50,000 customers abroad who had booked through an XL tour operator, 10,000 on holiday with XL Airways, and 25,000 with other tour operators who shared the XL flights.A further 200,000 customers had advance bookings with the XL tour operators, it said.
Holidaymakers abroad were advised to dial +44 208 242 4783, while those in the UK should call 0800 068 8991. Fore more information visit http://www.xl.com/ 12/09/08
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