xl airways

[costakid]

Just heard that XL airways, 3rd biggest tour operator have gone bust. 200000 will lose there holidays and 85000 stranded abroad. Blamed on high fuel and credit crunch.

[jennyshaw]

I saw it on the telly this morning, I feel sorry for those that are stranded abroad, especially the ones that have booked independently, they have to find their own way home, apparently they are a few people in Florida who will have to book more flights home, I hope they have enough money to do that, what will happen if not?

[Don]

At least they were ATOL http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7611639.stm

[peteroldracer]

The collapse has no doubt been allowed to happen by incompetent management, not taking the right steps to ensure they were running at a profit. The problems of the undustry are exacerbated by short-sighted customers buying on price, without looking at viability.
I worked in the printing industry for nearly all my career, and was frustrated by so many firms offering to print work on a £1,000,000 machine with a cost price of £200 per hour, for the equivalent of £5, "just to keep it running". This virtually destroyed the industry and benefited no-one.
Whilst having some sympathy for the customers and non-board employees of this firm, it will ultimately be good for travellers, although meaning more realistic prices. It was interesting to hear Simon Calder, the travel writer, on BBC this morning say he was off to Greece by Easyjet, but flying back with another (un-named) airline, for which he had paid with his credit card, to cover himself!

[costakid]

easyjet have just layed off 60 middle management.

[flan_taster]

not only Xl have been hit by changing business 'models'. Just need to think of the other airlines like Zoom, Silverjet, Maxjet, Eos, Oasis Hong Kong Airlines and of course Futura who have been blown away by unexpected costs. Not to mention Laker. (oh that was a few years ago) Even Clickair and Vueling in Spain are to merge and most likely cause job losses and savings. The airline biz is tough these days and only the clever and well managed will survive.

[jennyshaw]

I hope Ryanair keep going.

[katy]

http://www.diariosur.es/20080912/local/ ... 21817.html

Seems as though less people are flying according to this. Also about 100 people were stuck in málaga Airport this morning who should have been flying XL.

[Beachcomber]

It seems the era of cheap flights is coming to an end. They should have left Málaga airport as it was. The expansion will probably turn out to be a complete waste of money.

[alexander1]

ooops!

[alexander1]

It seems the era of cheap flights is coming to an end. They should have left Málaga airport as it was. The expansion will probably turn out to be a complete waste of money.

Isn't hindsight a wonderful thing?

[jennyshaw]

If all those people that had booked through XL had hindsight then yes it would be a wonderful thing.

[alexander1]

I hope Ryanair keep going.

So do I. Have booked two flights over Xmas and New year with them - first time!