XL Leisure Group in administration

The UK's third largest tour operator, XL Leisure Group went into administration early today leaving the holiday plans of thousands in tatters.

The West Sussex-based company had 85,000 holidaymakers abroad and 200,000 forward bookings, according to the Civil Aviation Authority.

The failure is the biggest to hit the travel industry in years and follows Cheshire based operator Seguro Holidays ceasing trading earlier this week and the collapse of airlines such as Zoom and Silverjet.

Besides charter airline XL Airways, XL ran the following tour operating brands.

The Really Great Holiday Company - ATOL 3827 which traded as:

Excel Holidays
The Florida Skytrain
Transatlantic Vacations
Travel City Direct
Travel City International

Kosmar Villa Holidays PLC - ATOL 1760

Freedom Flights Limited - ATOL 5296

Aspire Holidays Limited - ATOL 6536

Holidaymakers away on ATOL-bonded package holidays should be able to complete their holidays with the CAA arranging flights home. But those who booked flights only through XL.com and accommodation only through Medlife Hotels, the accommodation only brand of the XL Leisure Group are not protected.

Bedbookers.com is currently assisting all those passengers who are yet to travel in arranging alternative holidays, flights and accommodation only bookings to XL destinations.

All Air Holidays and Flights booked through Bedbookers.com are financially protected by the Civil Aviation Authority.

All accommodation only bookings booked through Bedbookers.com are financially protected through our membership of the Travel Trust Association.

For more information or assistance contact the helpline on 0845 688 7140 or book online @ www.bedbookers.com