Package holiday firm XL has filed for administration after experiencing financial difficulties, reports say.
Package holiday firm XL has filed for administration after experiencing financial difficulties, reports say.
The firm is Britain's third biggest tour operator and flies to 50 destinations, mainly in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean.
The firm is Britain's third biggest tour operator and flies to 50 destinations, mainly in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean.
XL is the latest travel firm to face financial difficulties as the industry struggles with sky-high fuel costs and an economic downturn.
XL is the latest travel firm to face financial difficulties as the industry struggles with sky-high fuel costs and an economic downturn.
Low-cost transatlantic airline Zoom collapsed last month.
Low-cost transatlantic airline Zoom collapsed last month.
A Civil Aviation Authority spokesman said the company currently continued to hold a licence to operate as a tour operator and commercial airline.
He said: "It has not been confirmed to us that XL have filed for administration."
The carrier had already cancelled its schedule of flights to the Caribbean.
The carrier had already cancelled its schedule of flights to the Caribbean.
If the firm were to collapse, package holidaymakers would be protected under the Atol scheme, a financial protection package.
If the firm were to collapse, package holidaymakers would be protected under the Atol scheme, a financial protection package.
BBC transport correspondent Tom Symonds said administrators might be able to help the company continue.
"But many companies have gone into administration and not survived, it's a sign there is severe problems with the company's accounts," he said.
"Other airlines who have had similar problems have had aircraft impounded."
Travel writer, Simon Calder, described XL's airline operation: "A pretty large airline with 21 aircraft, [it] flies all over the world, the Caribbean; Mediterranean; North Africa and North America, from airports across the UK.
"It does most charter work, but also quite a lot of - effectively - no-frills, scheduled work."
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.
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