The Civil Aviation Authority is arranging for planes to collect British holidaymakers stranded following the collapse of the tour operator XL.
The Civil Aviation Authority is arranging for planes to collect British holidaymakers stranded following the collapse of the tour operator XL.
The business's 21 planes were grounded, leaving some 90,000 people abroad.
The business's 21 planes were grounded, leaving some 90,000 people abroad.
The Air Travel Organisers' Licensing (Atol) scheme said "repatriation aircraft" were being organised.
The Air Travel Organisers' Licensing (Atol) scheme said "repatriation aircraft" were being organised.
A spokesman said many passengers were expected to return on specially chartered flights and on pre-scheduled flights that have spare seats.
A spokesman said many passengers were expected to return on specially chartered flights and on pre-scheduled flights that have spare seats.
The CAA is chartering planes from airlines including British Airways, Easyjet and Thompson. CAA EMERGENCY HELPLINE Customers abroad: +44 (0) 2891 856547Customers in the UK with advance bookings: 0870 5900927
The CAA is chartering planes from airlines including British Airways, Easyjet and Thompson. CAA EMERGENCY HELPLINE Customers abroad: +44 (0) 2891 856547Customers in the UK with advance bookings: 0870 5900927
Virgin Atlantic has said XL passengers who are stranded at airports in Florida and the Caribbean will be offered special one-way fares to fly home until the end of September.
Virgin Atlantic has said XL passengers who are stranded at airports in Florida and the Caribbean will be offered special one-way fares to fly home until the end of September.
Peter Long, chief executive of Thomson and First Choice owner TUI Travel, said his firm would also assist with helping stranded passengers.
Peter Long, chief executive of Thomson and First Choice owner TUI Travel, said his firm would also assist with helping stranded passengers.
And airlines Flybe, Easyjet, BMI and Ryanair had also offered various forms of assistance.
BBC reporter Nicola Pearson joined one specially chartered plane in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheik.
BBC reporter Nicola Pearson joined one specially chartered plane in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheik.
XL Chief Executive Phil Wyatt says he is devastated by the collapse
XL Chief Executive Phil Wyatt says he is devastated by the collapse
She said its passengers applauded when the captain said they had come on a rescue mission, and that the cabin crew was made up of staff from two different airlines - some had been called in from a day off.
She said its passengers applauded when the captain said they had come on a rescue mission, and that the cabin crew was made up of staff from two different airlines - some had been called in from a day off.
There will need to be hundreds of flights like this to bring back the tens of thousands of British tourists stranded abroad, our correspondent added.
There will need to be hundreds of flights like this to bring back the tens of thousands of British tourists stranded abroad, our correspondent added.
The decision to place XL Leisure Group into administration has also left thousands of staff facing the axe. XL COMPANIES XL Leisure GroupXL Airways UKExcel AviationExplorer HouseAspire HolidaysFreedom FlightsFreedom Flights (Aviation)The Really Great Holiday CompanyMedlife HotelsTravel City FlightsKosmar Villa Holidays
The decision to place XL Leisure Group into administration has also left thousands of staff facing the axe. XL COMPANIES XL Leisure GroupXL Airways UKExcel AviationExplorer HouseAspire HolidaysFreedom FlightsFreedom Flights (Aviation)The Really Great Holiday CompanyMedlife HotelsTravel City FlightsKosmar Villa Holidays
Chairman Phil Wyatt said he was "totally devastated" by the failure which has grounded XL's 21 planes. The company flies to about 50 destinations.
Chairman Phil Wyatt said he was "totally devastated" by the failure which has grounded XL's 21 planes. The company flies to about 50 destinations.
There are 67,000 stranded who booked directly with XL, and another 23,000 who booked via other companies.
There are 67,000 stranded who booked directly with XL, and another 23,000 who booked via other companies.
The CAA also said the firm had 200,000 advance bookings.
The CAA also said the firm had 200,000 advance bookings.
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 were covered by the CAA's Air Travel Organisers' Licensing scheme and those customers will be offered repatriation flights or their money back if they have an advance booking.
Cost price
Mr Clover said package deals were covered by the CAA's Air Travel Organisers' Licensing scheme and those customers will be offered repatriation flights or their money back if they have an advance booking.
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.
Some 10,000 only booked flights only with XL, and they will have to pay to get home, although the CAA has offered to sell them any spare tickets at cost price.
Some 10,000 only booked flights only with XL, and they will have to pay to get home, although the CAA has offered to sell them any spare tickets at cost price.
'Weaker players'
There is now widespread speculation that other airlines may be about to follow in XL's wake and go bust.
"I think there will be more failures, sadly, in the months to come," said aviation expert John Strickland of JLS Consulting.
"We have a number of weaker players in a highly competitive market."
And bookmaker Paddy Power is offering odds on the next airline to go down.
It has emerged that the Irish betting organisation had to close its book on the collapse of XL 12 hours before the company folded.
Paddy Power took the action after a high volume of bets came flooding in on Thursday, but despite its actions the bookie still had to pay out about £15,000.
Are you struggling to make your way home from your holiday destination? Have you paid for a holiday that you may not be able to take? If you were an employee of XL what are your views? Send us your comments using the form below.
Are you struggling to make your way home from your holiday destination? Have you paid for a holiday that you may not be able to take? If you were an employee of XL what are your views? Send us your comments using the form below.
