Dive tour operators have been forced to find alternative air carriers for hundreds of customers flying to the Red Sea following the collapse of XL airlines.
Dive tour operators have been forced to find alternative air carriers for hundreds of customers flying to the Red Sea following the collapse of XL airlines. The sudden folding of the UK's third largest tour operator has left the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) with the task of repatriating thousands of British holidaymakers.
XL was forced to call in the administrators in the early hours Friday morning after the failure of last minute talks with financial backers. Rising fuel costs and the recent economic downturn were blamed for the crisis.
Package deals are covered by the CAA's Air Travel Organisers' Licensing (ATOL) scheme. However, those who have booked directly with XL will face a fee, according to the CAA.
Dive tour companies had to offer refunds to many set to travel in the few days following the crash. It is expected, however, that many diving holidaymakers traveling to popular destinations such as Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada, Taba and Marsa Alam, will be offered seats on other carriers over the coming weeks.
Longwood Holidays, which books flights through XL on Gatwick to Hurghada and Manchester to Taba, said: 'CAA is organising repatriation. We still have every intention of running the same holidays and we are looking for alternative air carriers.'
Tony Backhurst Scuba Travel, which books customers on XL flights to Sharm El Sheikh, said: 'We are doing everything we can to protect the holidays of our guests travelling to Sharm El Sheikh and arrange other flights. All guests are being contacted directly. We have managed to get some of our guests out this week over Cairo. The CAA will make arrangements for those customers currently abroad who booked their holiday or flight with Scuba Travel to complete their holidays and fly home.'
Paul Hughes, director of tour company, Hidden Depths said: 'I went straight to Egypt Air, so customers going this weekend will fly via Cairo. At the moment everyone is a bit panic station. We are sure other flights will be found and it is all protected by insurance.'
