12 September 2008

TUI TRAVEL PLC

XL LEISURE GROUP UK STATEMENT 

Following the announcement that XL Leisure Group UK has gone into administration, TUI Travel PLC companies, Thomson and First Choice, are doing everything they can to assist XL's customers stranded abroad in their repatriation to the UK.  

Commenting, Peter Long, Chief Executive, TUI Travel PLC said:

"In the current environment where the price of oil has increased substantially, we are continuously seeing airlines with less than robust business models failing. This week alone both Futura and now XL have had to suspend or cease operations. Unfortunately, many people believe that they will be protected when this arises and this is not the case."

"Scheduled airlines, low cost airlines and online intermediaries, unlike tour operators, are not bonded which leaves their customers stranded or unable to get their money back in the event of failure. We at TUI Travel, as the leading European leisure travel company, will help where we can but it is time that the Government realised that there needs to be a level playing field for all providers of overseas leisure travel arrangements." 

Enquiries:

Hudson Sandler                                    

020 7796 4133

Jessica Rouleau/Kate Hough

Notes to Editors:

All package holiday companies offering air inclusive arrangements must have an Air Travel Organisers Licence or ATOL, which ensures that consumers are repatriated or given a full refund if an airline collapses. This cover is usually not available when customers book separate flights and accommodation. A customer who books a scheduled flight direct with an airline is not given the same financial protection as those booked as part of a package.

Thomson and First Choice belong to the TUI Travel PLC group of companies one of the world's leading leisure travel companies. It takes over 30 million customers on holiday annually, has revenues of over £12bn and made underlying operating profits of £261m in the last financial year.

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