XL to end all Caribbean routes from Gatwick

XL Airways has announced plans to scrap the Caribbean routes it operates out of Gatwick Airport.

The carrier has revealed that operations of all six routes will cease by November 3, 2008.

It cited the rising cost of fuel and the slowdown in the UK economy as the reasons behind its decision to put an end to the services.

Currently, XL operates flights out of Gatwick to St Lucia, Barbados, Tobago, St Kitts, Antigua and Grenada.

Managing director Martin Lock said that in the last six months, long-haul routes have become much more expensive to operate and as such the airline has been losing money on them.

He explained that many of the Caribbean islands that XL flies to were unable to help it manage as fuel prices rose and passenger number dropped, so XL "reluctantly [made] the decision to cancel the services".

Lock commented: "Because of their higher prices, the long haul routes from the UK are seeing even more of a softening of demand than short haul. This weaker demand has lead to XL Airways having to keep our prices competitive as we try and attract more customers."

© Adfero Ltd

Comments

[Mark]

I believe it is only the winter programme that is affected, and that a summer service will remain.

[K Stone]

Wedding booked, dress bought, a much planned and needed holiday and honeymoon - now no flights. Not yet had formal letter found out via guests who had booked direct with XL. We booked via Golden Carribean, but Xl flight. Has caused much distress, cost of alternative airlines too much,and even if Monarch do take over it wont be until the December 17, too late for our wedding. Sadly no-one seems really bothered.

[Tom]

Not just for Winter 08.

XL Airways have cancelled ALL their Caribbean service which includes, Barbados, Antigua, St Lucia, Tobago, Grenada and St Kitts (the only direct route for St Kitts) for departures from November 2008 onwards.

I have been told that all passengers will get their flight cost refunded, or a refund of their deposit paid. If you have booked direct, contact them now. If you have booked through and agent, contact your agent. If you have flights departing at the end of October to November 08, I would check they are still operating the service.

They moved all the Tobago and Grenada flights to one day a week earlier this year and cancelled some Caribbean routes, now they are stopping them all.

UK travel agents and operators are trying to find alternatives for their customers, but some flights with other airlines are now full or just too expensive.

Alternative flights for Feb half term and Easter are already getting full, or now very expensive as the other two big airlines cash in on the chaos. How they must be loving it.

Some DIY holiday makers will struggle when they find their accommodation is booked and no way to get there, because there's no flights, or the flight cost is too high.

I expect they will be laying off reservation staff and cabin crew next.

This will also hit the Caribbean Tourism Economy which relies heavily on the UK leisure market.