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.
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."
He said: "It has not been confirmed to us that XL have filed for administration."
Financial protection
Financial protection
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.
The company has its headquarters in Crawley, West Sussex and flies mainly from bases at Gatwick, Manchester and Glasgow airports.
BBC transport correspondent Tom Symonds said administrators might be able to help the company continue.
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.
"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."
"Other airlines who have had similar problems have had aircraft impounded."
If the news is true, it is a major, major thing for the industry Bob Atkinson, Travel Supermarket
If the news is true, it is a major, major thing for the industry Bob Atkinson, Travel Supermarket
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.
Travel writer, Simon Calder said XL had 21 aircraft and flew to 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."
He said: "There are still going to be tens of thousands, maybe hundreds of thousands of people...who find that they are either stranded abroad, or find that they are booked to travel in the next days, weeks, months, and they simply won't be going anywhere, I'm afraid."
Bob Atkinson, of the price comparison website Travel Supermarket said XL's troubles would be blow for the travel trade.
Bob Atkinson, of the price comparison website Travel Supermarket said XL's troubles would be blow for the travel trade.
He said: "If the news is true, it is a major, major thing for the industry, the British travel industry. They are a very large operator and this will send serious shock waves through the industry.
He said: "If the news is true, it is a major, major thing for the industry, the British travel industry. They are a very large operator and this will send serious shock waves through the industry.
"And what it's going to do more than anything, it's going to highlight how precarious the airline industry is at the moment."
"And what it's going to do more than anything, it's going to highlight how precarious the airline industry is at the moment."
XL customer Marion Foster of Thame, Oxfordshire, has a flight booked to Rhodes next week and was contacted by customer services on Wednesday to ensure her tickets had arrived.
XL customer Marion Foster of Thame, Oxfordshire, has a flight booked to Rhodes next week and was contacted by customer services on Wednesday to ensure her tickets had arrived.
She said: "At the time I thought it was a nice customer service touch to receive such a phone call but now I don't know what to think.
She said: "At the time I thought it was a nice customer service touch to receive such a phone call but now I don't know what to think.
"As I only booked flights with them it looks like I will lose my money which seems somewhat unfair."
"As I only booked flights with them it looks like I will lose my money which seems somewhat unfair."
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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