ATOL or No ATOL

With the demise of XL Leisure Group, the third largest operator in the UK this last few days, we think it is time the UK goverment created a level playing field for all airlines, travel agents and tour operators. XL Leisure folded on Friday 12th September with thousands of people stranded abroad, a number of these passengers booked direct with the airline, and as such were unbonded. They may of saved £10 or £20 per booking, but is it really worth being standed overseas when something like this happens.

Tour operators who sell a flight with accommodation must be bonded with the CAA, and as a result any customer who booked via a travel agent on one of XL's brands were covered with an ATOL. Those who booked direct were not. Where is the logic in this?

If all airlines, low cost carriers such as Ryanair and Easyjet included, were bonded their would not be thousands of UK passengers worrying about getting home now! Rest assured the safest way to book is through an ATOL bonded tour operator or travel agent even if it cost's a few pounds more.....