Post by Fenlander on Sept 14, 2008 11:10:12 GMT 2
Airport Hell For Stranded Brits
Anger is growing amongst thousands of British holidaymakers stranded at airports around the world after the collapse of tour operator XL.
The stranded are slowly making their way back to Britain
Despite promsies they would be flown back home with the minimum delay many have woken up to their third day stuck in an airport lounge.
Typical are the hundreds of holidaymakers trying desperately to get home from the Greek island of Corfu.
Many will have to wait until Monday when nine specially chartered jets will bring them back to the UK.
The flights have been arranged by the Civil Aviation Authority which has the huge task of getting everyone back home.
The Collapse Of XL Leisure
Latest developments
Protect passengers, now!
Online travel debate
Where to turn for help
Stranded in Spain
Who is stuck where?
Nightmare in pictures
Meanwhile, it has emerged the former auditor of XL Leisure Group warned of "financial irregularities" at the firm almost two years ago.
Some 85,000 people were left stranded when XL went into administration early on Friday morning, grounding its fleet of planes.
The CAA pledged the vast majority of holidaymakers stuck overseas would be flown back on their original departure date.
But the procedures in place to deal with travel industry failures have been criticised by Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson.
He wants the rules changed so the jets stricken firms can still fly under the eye of the regulator.
He said: "It does not make sense for aircraft to be lying idle at UK airports when they should be used to bring back stranded passengers of that airline."
Anger is growing amongst thousands of British holidaymakers stranded at airports around the world after the collapse of tour operator XL.
The stranded are slowly making their way back to Britain
Despite promsies they would be flown back home with the minimum delay many have woken up to their third day stuck in an airport lounge.
Typical are the hundreds of holidaymakers trying desperately to get home from the Greek island of Corfu.
Many will have to wait until Monday when nine specially chartered jets will bring them back to the UK.
The flights have been arranged by the Civil Aviation Authority which has the huge task of getting everyone back home.
The Collapse Of XL Leisure
Latest developments
Protect passengers, now!
Online travel debate
Where to turn for help
Stranded in Spain
Who is stuck where?
Nightmare in pictures
Meanwhile, it has emerged the former auditor of XL Leisure Group warned of "financial irregularities" at the firm almost two years ago.
Some 85,000 people were left stranded when XL went into administration early on Friday morning, grounding its fleet of planes.
The CAA pledged the vast majority of holidaymakers stuck overseas would be flown back on their original departure date.
But the procedures in place to deal with travel industry failures have been criticised by Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson.
He wants the rules changed so the jets stricken firms can still fly under the eye of the regulator.
He said: "It does not make sense for aircraft to be lying idle at UK airports when they should be used to bring back stranded passengers of that airline."