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Holiday firm XL in administration Holiday firm XL in administration
(10 minutes later)
The collapse of the UK's third largest package holiday group has left tens of thousands of Britons stranded abroad.The collapse of the UK's third largest package holiday group has left tens of thousands of Britons stranded abroad.
The decision to place XL Leisure Group into administration has also left thousands of staff facing the axe.The decision to place XL Leisure Group into administration has also left thousands of staff facing the axe.
Chairman Phil Wyatt said he was "totally devastated" by the failure which has grounded all XL planes. The company flies to about 50 destinations.Chairman Phil Wyatt said he was "totally devastated" by the failure which has grounded all XL planes. The company flies to about 50 destinations.
He said 67,000 people were already abroad. The Civil Aviation Authority said 200,000 had advance bookings.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.
Easyjet, BMI, Flybe and Ryanair have offered to fly some of the stranded passengers home.Easyjet, BMI, Flybe and Ryanair have offered to fly some of the stranded passengers home.
CAA EMERGENCY HELPLINE Customers abroad: +44 (0) 2891 856547Customers in the UK with advance bookings: 0870 5900927 Job fears for Welsh call centre href="ID=">Flights 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 centre href="/1/hi/scotland/7611801.stm">Flights grounded at GlasgowNorthern Irish holidaymakers hitPassengers turned away at airportTourists stranded in Greece
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.
"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.
Stranded passengers voice their frustration Angry passengers stranded in Orlando
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.Anyone yet to take their flights should check their insurance policies, and with their banks or credit card companies about refunds, he added.
XL is the latest travel business to face financial difficulties, as the industry struggles with high fuel costs and an economic downturn.XL is the latest travel business to face financial difficulties, as the industry struggles with high fuel costs and an economic downturn.
However an agreement has been reached whereby Straumur investment bank has acquired XL's German and French subsidiaries, which Straumur considers to be financially viable and sustainable businesses.
They will continue operations as separate commercial entities.
Economic downturnEconomic 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.
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."
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 commentsXL to see job cutsXL 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 commentsXL to see job cuts
Mr Wyatt added that spiralling oil prices had increased the firm's costs "year-on-year by over $80m".Mr Wyatt added that spiralling oil prices had increased the firm's costs "year-on-year by over $80m".
"So where many people have been making hay with high oil prices, this is the repercussions of that hay - 1,700 people potentially out of work today in the UK," he said."So where many people have been making hay with high oil prices, this is the repercussions of that hay - 1,700 people potentially out of work today in the UK," he said.
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.
'Going nowhere''Going nowhere'
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.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.
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.
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 programmeFROM 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.