12.09.08
XL Leisure Group PLC. incorporating XL Airways UK Limited, Excel Aviation Limited, Explorer House Limited, Aspire Holidays Limited, Freedom Flights Limited, Freedom Flights (Aviation) Limited, The Really Great Holiday Company PLC, Medlife Hotels Limited, Travel City Flights Limited, Kosmar Villa Holidays PLC – are all in Administration
SEE WEB ANNOUNCEMENT AT XL Customers stranded abroad can call +44 2891 856 547 Customers worried about future bookings should call 0870 5900927 *************
With the company now in administration, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) have taken over the logistical operations involving passengers who have already travelled or those who have booked flights or holidays protected by ATOL.
How many people are affected?
The CAA estimate 300,000 customers will be affected.
Approx 50,000 are currently abroad (having booked their holiday through an XL operator, 10,000 who flew with XL Airways, and 25,000 holidaying with other tour operators who shared the XL flights).
A further 200,000 people had booked holidays and flights for future dates.
What happens to me - I'm currently abroad?
Administrators say holidaymakers who bought package deals through XL should be able to stay in their hotel or villa and complete their holiday, and that in most cases the CAA will pay for this accommodation.
Customers who are charged for their hotel or for transfers to the airport have been advised to keep any receipts as they may be eligible for a refund from the CAA.
The following tour operators held Air Travel Organiser’s Licenses (ATOL) and customers that purchased air holidays and flights from them will be ATOL protected;
- The Really Great Holiday Company PLC - ATOL 3827
Trading as: Cruise City, Excel Holidays, The Florida Skytrain, Transatlantic Vacations, Travel City Direct and Travel City International - Kosmar Villa Holidays PLC - ATOL 1760
Trading as: Kosmar Holidays - Freedom Flights Limited - ATOL 5296
Trading as: Freedom Flights - Aspire Holidays Limited - ATOL 6536
Trading as: Aspire Holidays
A flight will be arranged to bring you home by the CAA. You can check with your holiday representative for information about any changes to your flight arrangements, or check on the ATOL website (
www.atol.org.uk). For those customers in particular distress please contact the CAA’s help line on telephone number
+44 (0) 2891 856 547.
Customers who booked direct with XL Airways (their flight numbers begin XLA)
may be able to get a seat on one of these planes, but they will be charged for their journey (this is because they are not covered by the ATOL scheme).
The CAA was not able to say how much the fee might be.
EasyJet has said it will fly stranded passengers back to the UK for a flat rate of £75, as long as they were due to return home before Saturday September 20. Passengers will need to provide an XL booking reference number when they arrange the flight and present their booking confirmation at the airport.
What happens to me - I booked my flights online?
If you booked with XL Airways or Medlife Hotels will not be entitled to a refund (via ATOL), as these bookings are not covered by the ATOL insurance scheme.
Whether they can get any kind of compensation will depend on how you paid for your holiday. Those who paid more than £100 on a credit card will be covered by section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act and will be able to get their money back from their card provider. If your card provider is a little confused and believes that the refund can only come through ATOL, tell them they are incorrect, they need to check their facts and you'd like to speak to a supervisor.
Those who used a Visa debit card, or paid less than £100 on a credit card,
should be able to get a refund under the charge-back scheme - users of other debit cards, however, have no protection.
If you have travel insurance, check your policy. The majority will not be able to make a claim, as cover against airline failure does not come as standard.
What happens to me - I have not travelled yet?
All flights have been cancelled and will not be rescheduled.
Passengers who have booked through a travel agent should contact that agent in the first instance who will be able to assist you in making a claim on ATOL.
If you booked directly with an XL Group company than please contact ATOL directly, they may be able to provide an alternative arrangement.
Unfortunately, customers who booked through xl.com or xl call centres are not ATOL protected. Consequently, you will be ineligible for a refund from ATOL in respect of your flight. See the above information regarding forms of payment.
In the event that you wish to organise your own return travel, detailed below are a list of potential alternative carriers:
- First Choice – 0871 200 7799
- Thomas Cook – 0870 750 0119
- Thomson – 0871 231 5938
Further information can be obtained from the Administrator’s help line as follows:
- From the UK – 0800 068 8991
- From Abroad - + 44 208 242 4783
XL LEISURE GROUP - Information for travellers 
. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has issued advice and will be arranging for people currently abroad with XL Leisure Group (XLLG) UK tour operators to complete their holidays and fly home.
