XL Nightmare Q&A

XL went bust just before I could fly. Am I covered?

If you booked with an XL tour operator as part of a package you are in the clear thanks to ATOL (Air Travel Organisers' Licensing).

If you booked directly with XL Airways you are not protected.

The companies involved are: XL Airways UK, Excel Aviation, Explorer House, Aspire Holidays, Freedom Flights, Freedom Flights (Aviation), The Really Great Holiday Company, Medlife Hotels, City Flights, Kosmar Villa Holidays.

Note: XL companies operating in France and Germany are NOT affected

I am stranded abroad. What do I do?

If you have ATOL you should be able to complete your holiday through the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority).

If you booked with XL Airways through a travel agent or on www.XL.com (or through an XL call centre), the CAA will arrange to fly you home but you will have to pay the cost.

Rival airlines rival airlines including BMI, Easyjet, Flybe and Ryanair have rushed to the rescue by offering to fly some marooned holidaymakers home. The Civil Aviation Authority is also making arrangements to repatriate stranded passengers using substitute aircraft.

I am due to take a holiday with XL. What do I do?

The holiday has now been cancelled and advanced bookings with an XL tour operator are entitled to a refund.

Flights booked with XL Airways are not entitled to a refund.

What will travel insurance/credit cards cover?

Holidays worth £100 or more paid for by credit cards are eligible for cover thanks to ‘Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act’ applies, giving you the legal right to a refund if goods and services costing £100 to £30,000 are not delivered.

Some Visa debit cards may also offer protection. Check your insurance policy for insolvency.

More information

Contact the administrators, Kroll Ltd, with your claim

Passengers already abroad should call 0044 2891 856 547;

Passengers in the UK should call 0870 590 0927- this costs up to 10p per minute so keep it short.

Civil Aviation Authority on 0800 068 8991

XL's website, www.XL.com, has further information

Find alternative flights

For all those who have been affected by the XL collapse, www.whichbudget.com provides a list of alternative airlines covering the routes XL used to fly.

13 September 2008