Tens of thousands of Britons could find themselves stranded abroad after the country's third largest package holiday group went into administration.
Tens of thousands of Britons could find themselves stranded abroad after the country's third largest package holiday group went into administration.
The XL group, which operates XL airlines, flies to 50 destinations, mainly in the Mediterranean.
The XL group, which operates XL airlines, flies to 50 destinations, mainly in the Mediterranean.
All its flights have now been cancelled and its aircraft grounded
All its flights have now been cancelled and its aircraft grounded
The Civil Aviation Authority said 85,000 people could be stranded abroad and 200,000 have advance bookings with the company.
The Civil Aviation Authority said 85,000 people could be stranded abroad and 200,000 have advance bookings with the company.
An XL flight from Orlando to Gatwick was grounded shortly before take-off. A source at the airport said accommodation was being found for the "distressed" passengers. An earlier XL flight bound for Manchester left as planned.
The group is the latest travel business to face financial difficulties, as the industry struggles with high fuel costs and an economic downturn.
The group is the latest travel business to face financial difficulties, as the industry struggles with high fuel costs and an economic downturn.
The XL group 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 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, which flew 2.3 million last year and has 2,000 employees.
The company, which flew 2.3 million last year and has 2,000 employees.
A statement on the XL 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 XL 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."
Financial protection
Financial protection
Package holidaymakers have financial protection under the its Air Travel Organisers' Licensing (Atol) scheme.
Package holidaymakers have financial protection under the its Air Travel Organisers' Licensing (Atol) scheme.
But customers who booked directly through the XL website or call centres are not protected.
But customers who booked directly through the XL website or call centres are not protected.
People who booked through a credit or debit card can contact their card issuer to see if they can refund their money.
People who booked through a credit or debit card can contact their card issuer to see if they can refund their money.
The Civil Aviation Authority will arrange return flights for people already on holiday, but a fee is payable for this service.
The Civil Aviation Authority will arrange return flights for people already on holiday, but a fee is payable for this service.
The company flies mainly from bases at Gatwick, Manchester and Glasgow airports.
The company flies mainly from bases at Gatwick, Manchester and Glasgow airports.
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 said XL had 21 aircraft and flew to 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.
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."
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: "They are a very large operator and this will send serious shock waves through the industry.
He said: "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.
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.
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.
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."
"As I only booked flights with them it looks like I will lose my money which seems somewhat unfair."
XL is the current sponsor of West Ham United football club.
XL is also the current sponsor of West Ham United football club.
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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