15 September 2008

More than 22,000 XL passengers flown home

More than 22,000 holidaymakers caught up in the failure of XL Leisure Group should have been flown home by today.

The Civil Aviation Authority has organised 94 repatriation flights carrying a total of 22,090 travellers.

The authority said its priority was to fly home those who had completed their holidays and were due to fly home on Friday Ã¢â¬' the day of the collapse Ã¢â¬' or over the weekend.

The exercise should be Ã¢â¬Åâœsubstantially completedÃ¢â¬~ by the end of today, the CAA said.

The authority is also working to replicate as closely as possible over the next couple of weeks the XL flight programme.

This would to enable around 30,000 people who are still away to continue their holidays Ã¢â¬Åâœin the knowledge that their flight home will take place as close as possible to the original planned timeÃ¢â¬~.

So that XL customers can complete their holidays, flights will continue for the next two weeks, the CAA added.

Additionally, passengers who had bought only a flight with XL Airways and are not ATOL-protected are being offered the option of flying back to the UK at a Ã¢â¬Åâœreasonable priceÃ¢â¬~.

The flights organised by the CAA are from Alicante, Malaga (Spain); Athens, Corfu, Heraklion, Kalamata, Kavala, Kefalonia, Kos, Mykonos, Preveza, Rhodes, Skiathos, Zante (Greece); Bodrum, Dalaman (Turkey); Cagliari (Sardinia); Faro (Portugal); Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh (Egypt); Grenada (Caribbean); Paphos (Cyprus); Las Palmas, Tenerife (Canaries); Mahon (Minorca); Orlando, Sanford (Florida); and Palma (Majorca).

The aircraft are being provided by Astraeus, BA, bmi British Midland, First Choice Airways, Jet2.com, Monarch Airlines, Thomsonfly, Virgin Atlantic and a number of overseas airlines.

Thomson, First Choice, Thomas Cook and Virgin Holidays staff are continuing to provide essential support on the ground in resorts, with co-operation from other tour operators and the Federation of Tour Operators, which is helping to coordinate the operation.

CAA consumer protection director Richard Jackson said: Ã¢â¬ÅâœThe CAA, with extensive help from the travel trade, has been working very hard to look after XLÃ¢â¬â¢s customers.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœOur immediate challenge has been to repatriate holidaymakers due home in the days immediately following the companyÃ¢â¬â¢s collapse. We are also working to ensure the timely return of those who are continuing their holidays over the next couple of weeks.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœNo one who is an ATOL-protected customer should feel stranded. Whilst weÃ¢â¬â¢ve had some problems, including adverse weather conditions in the Caribbean making it difficult to position replacement aircraft, all customers will be able to return from their holidays, and as close to their planned flight times as possible. This is a massive logistical exercise, and its cost will be covered by the CAAÃ¢â¬â¢s ATOL funding arrangements.Ã¢â¬~

by Phil Davies