ATOL-protected holidaymakers with the failed XL Leisure Group who are still abroad have been advised to continue their holidays as normal by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). The CAA estimated that there are around 30,000 customers who booked packages with XL, or XL owned tour operators such as Travel City Direct and Kosmar, still on holidays in resorts throughout the Mediterranean, Caribbean and Florida. These ATOL-protected customers are strongly advised not to fly home early or pay unnecessarily for new flights.

The initial phase of the repatriation operation following the collapse of XL is now coming to an end following an exceptionally busy weekend. Throughout the rest of this week and next, holidaymakers will be brought back to the UK by the CAA as their holidays reach their conclusion. Holidaymakers unsure if they are ATOL-protected should check their booking details and travel documents.

The CAA reiterated that it is organising flights for XL customers protected under its ATOL scheme, but is also offering capacity to enable those passengers who had bought only a flight with XL Airways - and are therefore not ATOL-protected - to fly back to the UK at a reasonable price.

Richard Jackson, CAA Director of Consumer Protection, said: “It is important holidaymakers understand that if they are ATOL-protected their holiday continues. If you are not due back until this weekend or next week do not try and get an early flight and certainly do not pay for a new flight home. The CAA will arrange to bring you home on the same day you were due home with XL.”

The CAA confirmed that 29,610 customers have either returned to the UK or flights have been arranged for their return since the collapse of XL on Friday morning. Currently 126 flights have been arranged. UK airlines - BA, bmi British Midland, Monarch Airlines, First Choice Airways, Jet2.com, Astraeus and Virgin Atlantic - are providing aircraft to fly to 37 destinations around the world bringing passengers back to nine UK airports. Numerous airlines based overseas have also been used.

In addition, where it has not been possible to position appropriate aircraft to some small Greek Islands ferries had been used to pick up passengers for transfer to Athens and flights home.

Thomas Cook, Thomson, First Choice and Virgin Holidays staff are providing essential support on the ground in resorts, with cooperation from other tour operators and the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO), which is helping to coordinate this operation.

The flights currently organised by the CAA are from Alicante, Malaga (Spain); Palma (Majorca); Athens, Corfu, Heraklion, Kalamata, Kavala, Kefalonia, Kos, Lefkas, Mykonos, Preveza, Rhodes, Samos, Santorini, Skiathos, Zante (Greece); Bodrum, Dalaman (Turkey); Cagliari (Sardinia); Faro (Portugal); Hurghada, (Egypt); Bridgetown (Barbados); Antigua, Grenada, St Kitts, St Lucia (Caribbean); Larnaca, Paphos (Cyprus); Orlando, Sanford (Florida); Arrecife (Lanzarote); Fuerteventura, Las Palmas, Tenerife (Canaries); Mahon (Minorca).

Arrival airports in the UK are Birmingham, Bristol, East Midlands, Gatwick, Glasgow, Heathrow, Leeds Bradford, Manchester and Newcastle.