Statement: Flights with XL Airways

Friday 10 October 2008 1630         

On Friday 12 September the XL Leisure Group announced that they had gone into administration, which resulted in all their aircraft being grounded and their flights being cancelled. Three of our flights were chartered with XL airways (part of the XL Leisure Group); our Friday flight from Gatwick to Hurghada (XLA558), our Friday flight from Manchester to Hurghada (from 31 October 2008) and our Monday flight from Manchester to Taba (XLA2882).

Despite our best efforts, as of Monday 22 September we were unable to find alternative arrangements for our Gatwick – Hurghada flight departing up to and including 31 October 2008, or our Manchester – Taba flight departing up to and including 13 October. We therefore took the decision to cancel holidays booked on those flights, and have contacted the affected customers with the choice of a refund in full or alternative travel dates.

Manchester - Taba 20 October 2008 onwards
We are now back on sale for Manchester – Taba from 20 October 2008. Our winter flight will be with Jet2 and our summer flight with Monarch; customers whose flight times have changed have been contacted with the new timings.

Gatwick – Hurghada November 2008 onwards
We are now back on sale for Gatwick – Hurghada from 7 November 2008 – 24 April 2009. Our new flight will be with Viking Airlines and the timings are as follows:
 
7 Nov-27 Mar outbound flight departs LGW 1000 and arrives HRG 1730; return flight departs HRG 1830 and arrives LGW 2215
3 Apr–17 Apr outbound flight departs LGW 1000 and arrives HRG 1630 return flight departs HRG 1730 and arrives LGW 2215
24 Apr       outbound flight departs LGW 1000 and arrives HRG 1730; return flight 1 May departs HRG 1830 and arrives LGW 2215
In-flight entertainment is included. Please note these flights do not include in-flight meals.

We will however reconfirm flight times to customers already booked on these flights by post in the next 48 hours.

Gatwick – Hurghada May 2009 onwards
We are pleased to announce that we have now confirmed alternative arrangements for our summer Gatwick – Hurghada programme starting 1 May through to 30 October 2009. The new flight is with Viking airlines and the timings are similar to those that were to be operated by XL as follows:-

1 May-18 Sep outbound flight departs LGW 1000 and arrives HRG 1730; return flight departs HRG 1830 and arrives LGW 2210
25 Sep-23 Oct outbound flight departs LGW 1000 and arrives HRG 1630; return flight departs HRG 1730 and arrives LGW 2210
30 Oct          outbound flights departs LGW 1000 and arrives HRG 1730; return flights departs HRG 1830 and arrives LGW 2210
In-flight entertainment is included. Please note these flights do not include in-flight meals.

We will reconfirm flight times to customers already booked on these flights by post within the next few days.

We are now also able to sell holidays to Hurghada, El Gouna and Soma Bay up to 30 Oct 2009.

Manchester – Hurghada November 2008 until April 2009
Unfortunately, we have been unable to source alternative arrangements for our Manchester – Hurghada flight between November 2008 and April 2009 and have therefore taken the decision to cancel holidays booked on this route for the winter season. We hope that by doing so now, our customers will have a better chance of finding another suitable holiday. All affected customers on this route have been contacted and offered the choice of a refund in full, a Gatwick departure or a choice of any other Longwood Holiday subject to price and availability.  

Manchester - Hurghada Summer 2009 (May – October 2009)
Our programme has not been affected by the collapse of XL and remains on sale.
 
We appreciate that the last four weeks have been very difficult for customers affected by the collapse of XL, and offer our apologies for any inconvenience caused. Your continued patience is appreciated as we restore our scheduled programme.

Should you have any further questions regarding the affected flights, please contact our Administration team on 020 8418 2530.

All our other holidays are operating as usual, and can be booked through reservations on 020 8418 2525.
 
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