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easyJet adds flights after collapse of XL

[September 22nd 2008]

Low cost airline easyJet is adding extra flights to popular holiday destinations in Spain and Turkey following the collapse of the tour operator XL earlier this month.

"The additional seats are in response to a lack of available seats between the UK and these key holiday destinations," the budget airline explains in a press statement.

The extra flights are in addition to the airline's usual services from Gatwick airport to Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Dalaman in Turkey. On Thursday October 2nd the extra flight to Arrecife in Tenerife departs Gatwick at 07.15 and arrives at 11.25. The plane will then depart Arrecife at 12.20 for the return flight and land at Gatwick at 16.20.

The extra flight to Las Palmas in Gran Canaria leaves Gatwick on Monday October 6th at 06.20 and arrives at 10.35, before returning at 11.20 and arriving back at Gatwick at 15.15. On the same day an extra flight to Dalaman in Turkey departs Gatwick at 07.15 and arrives at Dalaman at 13.15, taking off again at 14.00 and reaching Gatwick at 16.15.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) says that plans are "well advanced" to fly back the remaining 38,000 UK holidaymakers who were stranded abroad by the collapse of XL and are due to finish their holidays this week. By Friday last week 46,765 passengers had been flown back to the UK from 40 destinations.

The CAA says it is continuing to work closely with Thomas Cook, Thomson, First Choice and Virgin Holidays to make sure ATOL protected holidaymakers can complete their holidays and travel home at no extra cost.

“I want to take this opportunity to thank the industry, particularly the tour operators’ overseas representatives, with whom we have worked, for all their extensive efforts on the ground over the course of the past week. Their important contribution has greatly helped the smooth repatriation for the vast majority of XL holidaymakers and allowed many others to complete their holidays," says CAA director of consumer protection, Richard Jackson.