Gay holiday company ceases trading after XL collapse
People who have booked trips to Spain with Throb Holidays may lose out after the company announced that it has gone out of business.
“As a result of the collapse of XL Airways/XL Leisure Group (who were our main flight provider) we have unfortunately been unable to contain the damage this causes us in both the immediate term and in the future, where the lack of flight capacity we would have relied upon from XL Airways for new reservations makes continuing trading impossible,” the gay-owned company said in a statement on its website.
“Our thoughts and concerns are of course for all our customers caught up in this and we hope that you can understand that this was not a decision taken lightly after 14 years of responsibly serving the gay community.”
XL collapsed on Friday. Most of the estimated 90,000 tourists affected are covered by the Air Travel Organisers’ Licensing (ATOL) scheme.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said it had now successfully completed the first phase of its repatriation operation to bring back customers over the weekend.
“158 flights have been arranged which have carried or will carry 37,150 passengers back to the UK from a total of 38 destinations,” the CAA said.
“ATOL-protected customers of the failed XL Leisure Group tour operators who are still abroad are reminded that their holidays are financially protected from the moment the company went into administration on 12 September.”
25,000 who travelled with XL Airways are also covered.
Throb Holidays said that clients with future reservations will be updated by post or email within the next few days on their booking status. These will be processed in order of date priority.
“Clients with bookings where a flight was with XL Airways (flight code XLA or JN) should note that these reservations have been cancelled and refund claim forms will be sent.
“If you have a reservation where your flight is with another airline your flight is still valid and we will advise you accordingly,” the company said.
“If you paid by credit card and your reservation amount was for more than £100, you may be protected by Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974.
“If you paid by Visa debit card you should contact your bank for advice on making a ‘charge back’. In both instances, you should check with your card issuer for further advice.”
