The Collapse of XL.com

The collapse of XL.com, the UK’s third largest holiday company, has left around 70,000 Britons stranded abroad and thousands more at airports in UK facing the prospect of no annual holiday and no refunds for their flights or holiday packages. XL Chief Executive Phil Wyatt said he was "totally devastated" by the failure of the company which has grounded XL's 21 planes. There were 67,000 travelers who booked directly with XL, and 23,000 who booked via third parties. BA, Easyjet, BMI, Flybe and Ryanair have offered to fly some of the stranded passengers back to UK.

According to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) the firm had 200,000 advance bookings. According to XL chairman Phil Wyatt "we've made every effort, myself and my fellow directors, to find new funding for the business - and it's a very sad day for me personally. I am totally devastated." XL.com carried 2.3 million passengers last year is just one of the travel businesses to face financial difficulties, the current high fuel costs and the economic downturn. According to a statement on the XL.com website: "The companies entered into administration having suffered as a result of volatile fuel prices, the economic downturn, and were unable to obtain further funding."

The collapse of XL

The XL group, which is based in Crawley, includes:

  • 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