Holidays for Brits under Threat as XL Cancels Flights to Caribbean

Thousands of Britons could lose their Caribbean holidays after XL Airways this week cancelled all its flights to the region from the beginning of November. The airline blamed rising fuel costs and the falling popularity of the routes.

The move marks the end of the airline’s flights to Antigua, St Kitts and Nevis, Trinidad and Tobago, St Lucia, Barbados and Grenada. Tour operators and travel agents now face a scramble to find replacement flights for hundreds of customers booked to travel this winter. In many cases the only option will be more expensive seats on scheduled airlines.

Martin Lock, the managing director of XL Airways, blamed the economic downturn and rising fuel surcharges, which have added about £100 to return ticket prices. He said the airline would instead focus on its more profitable long-haul services to Florida and its short- and medium-haul routes.

The decision is likely to have a huge impact on the tourism industry in the Caribbean, which is already suffering in the wake of the recent murder of two Britons in Antigua. For example, St Kitts now has no direct flights from Britain.

XL is advising customers who have booked flights to the Caribbean from November onwards to contact their travel agent or tour operator. However, agents have given warning that it is difficult to find alternative flights or destinations at such short notice, particularly for those traveling over the Christmas period.