CAA asks XL customers waiting for refunds for patience

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is processing claims for refunds made by customers of XL Leisure who booked holidays through the ATOL-protected operator, after having completed a massive operation to repatriate all those stranded overseas.

The preliminary preparation for processing the refunds for the 200,000 customers having pre-booked holidays with XL is underway.

Approximately 70,000 claims are expected, meaning that the refund process will require more time that in cases involving the collapse of smaller operators, a spokesman for the CAA noted.

The director of consumer protection, Richard Jackson, commented: “The task of repatriating XL customers at the end of their holidays is now by and large completed.

“We are pleased that overall these arrangements have worked well and once again I want to extend my thanks to our colleagues in the travel industry and the overseas representatives of Thomson/First Choice, Thomas Cook and Virgin Holidays, whose hard work ensured the smoothest possible operation.

Jackson added that the consumer protection department is now asking for patience from those making claims, as the refunds will be processed as quickly as possible, but will take some time.

In the 17 days since the collapse of XL, 83,000 holidaymakers were repatriated.

The CAA coordinated the 222 flights that replaced XL flights from the 40 destinations where customers of the failed travel operator were marooned. XL went into administration on 12 September.

A relatively small number of customers of the ATOL-protected operator remain abroad on extended holidays, according to the CAA.

Thanks to www.travelmole.com for the above quotes, for more information on this article please visit their website.

www.caa.co.uk