Britain's third largest package tour operator goes bust

Thousands left stranded abroad

September 2008

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The collapse of Britain’s third largest package tour operator has left thousands of holiday makers stranded abroad. Clients of the company who booked through a travel agent will be refunded. They will be covered through their agents’ belonging to the Air Travel Organisers’ Licensing (ATOL). Other travellers have been stunned to find that even up until the day before the firm collapsed they were totally unaware and booking their trips through the company’s website only to find that they have lost their money. Those having bought for holidays in the future will also get their money back.

The chief executive of XL Leisure has said he is devastated at the situation and said that none of the company’s 21 aircraft have been allowed to leave the ground from 1.00 am Friday morning leaving more than 80,000 travellers stranded in more than 50 destinations around the world.

The group that owns amongst others – XL Airways UK, Aspire Holidays, Freedom Flights and Kosmar Villa Holidays, has stated on its website that it blames huge fuel bills, the economic downturn and a failure to reach a refinancing deal with its creditors.

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