XL Airlines goes bust!

[Dive Bunnie]

Very bad news indeed, one of the major airlines that supplies Sharm with our many divers, went bust at 2 am on Friday12th September.

Bookings were still being taken up to midnight, and then just two hours later, it was declared that all flights would be grounded.

I can't believe that there was no kind of back up insurance in place. Not only to guarantee people's holidays, but to get people back home!! One of my students was told last night that she had an hour to pack and get to the airport or they might not be able to get her home at all.

There are numerous people stranded here in Sharm, as well as many more booked up for trips next week, rummaging around for alternative flights.

The really bad news is for those who have booked flights only, as these are not covered by ATOL (why not??) and they loose the lot!

My heart does go out to those who have lost their jobs as a result, it is certainly a depressing sign of the times in the UK when an airline like this goes bust. It is not like it is some fly by night, one plane bucket shop. We are talking about a long established, well known airline.

[sharondive24]

tell me about it!! I nearly missed out on my holiday as a result. thankfully they found another airline.

[Dive Bunnie]

Yes, thank God for Thompsons and Easy Jet. Most of our customers come out via them.

Having said that, there are no flights out of Sharm available with these carriers for the next three weeks on Red Sea Flights!! Not a good thing, as I like to know I can get home easily if I really need to.

Anyway, glad to hear that people did get home in the end, and to hear that the other airlines have come to the rescue and it seems that most people with holidays dependent on xl flights have been sorted out in one way or another.

With holidays, it is not just about the money is it? It is about the fact that usually you have saved up for it, both financially and in the form of allowable holiday time. And most people have worked their arses off in the lead up to it, so really really need that break.

Anyway, hope you have a great time when you get here.