Excel Goes Bust

[Corfusoon]

Where is that Sandy I couldnt find it yesterday??


Regards
Frank

[TerryW]

These really are troubled times for the travel industry. Another airline, Futura, went into liquidation this week and I think there will be quite a few more casualties in the coming months. We have flown with both XL and Futura in the past and I nearly booked with XL for next years holiday but chose Monarch instead. I am even worried about Monarch now. We have also had previous holidays with Kosmar.

I suppose we must all make sure that we book with ATOL registered companies and book using a credit card.

We may have to consider overland travel to Corfu in the coming years, and even that would be a problem this weekend with the Channel Tunnel fire.

I wonder who is in Arillas at the moment, and is due to fly back with XL?

[vivian]

Hi Terry, I was thinking about all the firms we have travelled with in the past, and relised that we have always paid with a debit card. Im going to have to talk to Pete about getting a credit card just for booking things that might go belly up. Bet there's a lot of people that will suffer because they did it the same way. Viv

[Joe]

"Unfortunately, customers who booked either 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."

This is even news to me, looks like the good old travel agent is not dead yet.

[jenna]

Joe, thanks for all your help so far.  I am a little confused about one thing though.  My parents booked their flights directly through XL.com and their flight number beings XLA which according the CAA website means they are not ATOL protected, however at the bottom of their itinery it states that they are covered under freedom flights ATOL protection.  Any ideas of what would be the case here and should I book alternative flights in case they don't arrange any repatriation flights for them.

[Aly]

;-( well I am one of those unfortunates who have been affected, looks like I won't be going to Arillas in two weeks time! The websites are jammed, the phone lines are jammed, the whole thing is a mess!

[Sandy x]

Aly I can't believe it that you won't be going after all this time!!! That is awful....keep in touch x

[Rick1883]

I feel gutted for everyone who has booked a forthcoming holiday through XL and especially those who booked flight only through the company because they have almost certainly lost all their money too.  I'd imagine people

It's been well known for some weeks that XL have been scratching around for extra financing but no-one believed they were this close to oblivion.  

In the longer term, the lower capacity for next summer will keep the prices high and what with the weakening pound this could have a devastating effect on both Corfu and the people who want to go there.

Bad, bad news.

[Diane x]

As some of you may know I have been affected by Zoom airlines going under recently, you can imagine my horror this morning when Keith said who did we book our week in Kassiopi with.
We did look at Kosmar as we have been with them before but I think we will be ok as we booked with Olympic.
Just looked at our tickets we are flying with FCA, phew !

[Joe]

Jenna - That does seem a little confusing, personally I doubt they are covered but if you can read the small print carefully and see what it says, it may have been booked through a third party which may offer cover. Also check your travel insurance documents, most policies have some cover against this. Finally if the worst does come to the worst the CAA will bring you home even if you are not covered, they will bill you for this but it will not be extortionate, I think we will be operating some of these rescue flights.

Just heard Jet 2 may be in trouble, I would be wary of them these coming weeks.

[Corfusoon]

Hi Joe

Did you mean Easy jet may be in troble too?

Mandy

[kes]

joe
we were off to Santorini on tuesday with XL  so thats down the swanny (paid with credit card so should be ok ) but we to have flights booked with XL for next year and at the bottom of the confirmation it says freedom flights...??

[england]

Sorry to say but Freedom flights are the same company

XL Leisure Group
XL Airways UK
Excel Aviation
Explorer House
Aspire Holidays
Freedom Flights
Freedom Flights (Aviation)
The Really Great Holiday Company
Medlife Hotels
Travel City Flights
Kosmar Villa Holidays

All part of XL

[Joe]

Hi Joe

Did you mean Easy jet may be in troble too?

Mandy

No the really big players have the business models and the resources to weather this, low cost Easyjet and Ryanair will keep going and in the charter market Thomas Cook and First Choice/Tui will be fine.

[kes]

Have d/loaded claim form from Atol  and it apears that bookings with Freedom Flights are covered?