A number of flights from Belfast and Dublin are in doubt after the collapse of the tour operator group, XL.
Some flights from Belfast and Dublin are in doubt after tour operator group XL collapsed leaving thousands of travellers stranded.
The company has gone into administration and all its flights have now been grounded, leaving thousands of travellers stranded.
The airline had three flights scheduled to leave from Belfast International Airport to Greece next week.
The airline had three flights scheduled to leave from Belfast International Airport to Greece next week.
It also operates flights from Dublin to Spain and the Greece. Four flights were scheduled on the routes for Friday.
It also operates flights from Dublin to Spain and the Greece. Four flights were scheduled on the routes for Friday.
Andrew Muir from County Down said his parents were due to return from America with the operator.
They are on a Caribbean cruise and are to return from Florida in a few days.
"They are on a cruise ship so nobody can contact them and are probably oblivious to what is happening," he said.
"That cruise ship docks in a few days and I found out about this last night."
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said 85,000 people across the UK could be stranded abroad and 200,000 have made advance bookings with the company.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said 85,000 people across the UK could be stranded abroad and 200,000 have made advance bookings with the company.
David Clover, a spokesman for the CAA, said it would be making arrangements to help customers of the four tour companies within the XL group and was working "very closely with the travel industry to organise repatriation flights".
David Clover, a spokesman for the CAA, said it would be making arrangements to help customers of the four tour companies within the XL group and was working "very closely with the travel industry to organise repatriation flights".
Economic downturn
Economic downturn
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.
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.
XL COMPANIES XL Leisure GroupXL Airways UKExcel AviationExplorer HouseAspire HolidayFreedom FlightsFreedom Flights (Aviation)The Really Great Holiday CompanyMedlife HotelsTravel City FlightsKosmar Villa Holidays
XL COMPANIES XL Leisure GroupXL Airways UKExcel AviationExplorer HouseAspire HolidayFreedom FlightsFreedom Flights (Aviation)The Really Great Holiday CompanyMedlife HotelsTravel City FlightsKosmar Villa Holidays
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, 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 group, which carried 2.3 million passengers last year, has 1,700 employees worldwide.
The group, which carried 2.3 million passengers last year, has 1,700 employees worldwide.
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."
Package holidaymakers have financial protection under the Air Travel Organisers' Licensing (Atol) scheme.
Package holidaymakers have financial protection under the 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.
Precarious
Precarious
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
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 a blow for the travel trade.
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."
XL is the current kit 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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