Stranded holidaymakers return to UK

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said it had brought back 11,900 people on 52 flights as part of its attempt to repatriate some 85,000 customers hit by XL Leisure Group's demise.

The vast majority of those still overseas will fly back on the date they originally intended to, the aviation regulator added.

But the procedures in place to deal with the chaos caused by failed airlines and tour operators was nonetheless criticised by Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson.

Sir Richard called for an urgent review of the rules with a view to allowing the air fleet of stricken firms to continue to fly under the watch of the regulator.

He said: "It does not make sense for aircraft to be lying idle at UK airports when they should be used to bring back stranded passengers of that airline.

"There is enormous pressure at the moment within the aviation industry to help with the rescue mission, which we are happy to do, but it should not be like this in the future."

The airlift currently under way was described as the "the most challenging ever undertaken" by XL's chief executive Peter Wyatt and is expected to cost some £20 million.

Overseas package tour passengers are covered under the Air Travel Organisers' Licensing (Atol) scheme, but thousands of outbound XL customers will have to make alternative plans on their own.

XL went into administration after failing to secure a rescue package. The high-profile collapse prompted a prediction by British Airways chief executive Willie Walsh that another 30 airlines would go out of business within the next four months