Ryanair are not so generous.......
http://www.ryanair.com/site/EN/notices. ... -rescue-GB
Basically, they have offered the use of an aircraft for CAA to use for repatriation then go on to say that it shows you shouldn't book with 'flaky' airlines !.

Hmmm. Wonder what he'll say if Ryanair go belly-up

I wish you hadn't mentioned Ryanair
Ryanair might think they're sitting pretty at the moment, but they were whinging about the price of oil last week
But what's new? O'leary is always whinging about something
He's upped the charges, reduced the staff and grounded planes for the winter, his profits are down from the previous year and when his present hedging policy has expired, then he will be facing the same problem, if the price of oil stays the same, he has admitted this time next year that they will be lucky to break even......I wonder if he'll be so arrogant then.?...probably not, he'll whinge.
But, like I say, there's always vultures around to pick at the carcass.

Sanji

I don't think that XL was a "flaky" airline, i used them a few times and they were very good , regards service, punctuality and price and they actually flew you to an airport that was near to where you wanted to be
they went for a rapid expansion . piled up the debt and now fuel costs added to the debt and there was little room to manoeuvre in trying to re-finance their debt. This could have a real knock-on effect on many jobs let alone those who have today just lost theirs.
Its not good news for travellers at all as there is now less competition and that will mean higher prices , perhaps we have to be realistic and realise that prices will keep going up as all companies are now struggling and with people now having less money to spend there will be a drop in demand which could cause even bigger problems for airlines and operators. Its not unreasonable to think that any of them could end up in trouble.
i'm looking to book a holiday soon and will go with a package (usually diy) and pay with a credit card (no change there, i haven't got any money) but it would still be dreadful to arrive at the airport and face what the XL customers experienced today regardless of being able to be reimbursed.

The curious thing is that if you look on the BBC News Business pages you can see that the price of Brent crude (oil) has fallen from 142 dollars a barrel at the begining of July to less than 100 today! Someone, somewhere, is pulling a fast one here.

Perhaps XL hedged their fuel at too high a price ?

John

FlyBe have a rescue package for those affected.

Special rescue fee €90 back to the UK from Alicante, Faro, Malaga and Palma

To book call 0044 1392 268500

Rescue fee available until 23:59 on Saturday 20 September.

luci

I might be wrong , but a few airlines have hedged their fuel at around 120-130 , they buy around 3 to 6 months in advance , i remember Ryanair stating in the papers that they hedged their fuel at these prices , OPEC is trying to keep production at a level where the barrel will be pegged at about $100 , fuel costs now will be a major part in airlines sustainability. load factors will affect the low cost carriers if demand keeps dropping off,

Michael O'Leary, believes the airline will be in a strong position when oil prices fall back., well maybe he doesn't read the same paper as me because OPEC will do everything they can to keep the price of a barrel of oil above $100.
I've seen various figures banded around about the debt owed by XL, but how much of that money is tied up in the new aeroplanes that they had, I might be wrong but I thought XL had the youngest/newest planes in their fleet amongst all the operators.

It's a bit like when Freddie Laker went bust and his creditors called in the money....his money was parked on the tarmac at various terminals....you want the money? take the plane.! he owed about £270 million, but his company's demise was not through oil prices, it was a conspiracy by other the airlines to block low cost fares, which 26 years later we all have come to expect from the no-frills carriers and open competition.

IMO: Spanair will be the next to go and the future looks bleak for the paying passenger, with no competition and fewer choices.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/jun/04/ryanair.oil
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/sep/06/oil.oilandgascompanies

Sanji

I feel trully sorry for XL staff.

We flew back from Mykonos with the airline last Friday after a week long break in Naxos. The flights out and back from the UK were on time, the crews great and all in all we thoroughly enjoyed using them. The purser on the outbound flight was superb and had the passengers laughing their heads off through much of the journey. He and his crew made it a great start to our holidays.

I'd like to thank and wish the best of luck to those particular crews and the staff who served us well on other XL flights we have taken over the years.

bill

Am bit miffed was supposed to be returning my jaunt to the UK with XL on the 10th of October. Might be able to get the money back via visa debit, fingers crossed.

But really feel for those who have lost their hols in the next week or so, and, more sorry for those who have lost there livelihoods in these tough times. Good luck to all the XL staff

I received the following email from Thomson's late last night. I don't have a booking with XL or the other companies affected but it might help others that do.

EDIT: Emails should not be reproduced on the forums, but much of the information quoted is available on the Thomson website, please click here.
David HT Mod

After being advised by lots of helpful people on here last night to claim my flights deposit back from my CC company, I telephoned them to double check. Yes, I was told to simply put my request in writing, accompanied by documentation supplying details. The gentleman on the phone supplied an address for me to forward the paperwork. However, I've received an e-mail this morning from my CC company which is a general one that looks as though it's been sent to all its' customers. It states amongst other information :

Edit: Quote Removed

I was under the impression that my CC company were liable, whether I'd booked a package deal or flight only be it directly or through an agent. As my letter to the CC company is all ready and waiting to be posted, I think I will try them first. Any advice or comments please?

Edit: Sorry Shirley, emails should not be reproduced on the forum. But yes, if the product in question is covered by ATOL bonding, then the claim should be made to the CAA. If the product is not ATOL bonded, the claim should be made to the credit card company.
David HT Mod

There is an insurance product coming available this week which might be of interest to those who book flights independantly using a debit card.

http://www.protectmyholiday.com

I know my travel insurance would not have covered me in this situation so I will be looking for a policy that includes Airline Failure when my annual poliicy comes up for renewal.

John.

The CAA is very slowly publishing details of replacement flights for those passengers stranded overseas following the collapse of XL Airways.

This link might help those checking Holiday Truths from overseas for help and support.

http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?catid=1804&pagetype=90&pageid=10052

One travel insurance company that includes Scheduled Airline Failure is http://www.travelplandirectinsurance.com

luci

An interesting point has just been made on BBC news.

Apparently some flights - particularly Sharm - have been booked through Freedom Flights even when you booked direct with XL. This would mean you would be ATOL covered.

Worth checking out your invoice just to check.

John.

We've got - or rather, had - 2 sets of flights to Sharm booked direct with XL (using Visa debit). No invoice. All we've got are the confirmation emails. These have nothing about Freedom Flights on them.

Just looked at the tickets for next week, and they were issued by Freedom Flights UK (which is usual).

You might be lucky if Freedom Flights issued the tickets - well worth asking I guess.
Alernatively you could try claiming under 'chargeback' through your VISA debit.

Apparently it's something to do with legislation around flights to Egypt - they mentioned that the flights had to be operated as charter rather than scheduled. According to ATOL - charter flights through Freedom Flights are protected.

Good Luck

John

The Post Office travel insurance also covers airline failure.

luci

Thanks for the links/info regarding insurance companies covering airline failure, I will be taking that out today.