Airline

XL Airways enters into liquidation

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XL Airways enters into liquidation

Attempts to save XL Airways have failed after a court ruling has declared liquidation for the airline.

Flights from the Paris carrier, which were previously suspended until 7 October, have subsequently been permanently cancelled.

On 23 September, insolvency procedures against XL Airways France were opened by commercial Bobigny court decision which resulted in the airline being granted time to secure more funding.

XL Airways halted operations on 30 September originally stating that it would resume on 3 October. 

However, it was reported on 4 October that former Aigle Azur shareholder Lu Azur was offering a €30 million cash injection to the struggling airline.

This offer was rejected in court leaving the airline with only one option - liquidation.

French Minister of Economy and Finance, Bruno Le Maire, has pointed the finger at Norwegian Air Shuttle and the government of Norway for providing illegal state aid as the main reason for the airlines' failure.

The Minister told LCI television that Norwegian receives state aid and that he will seek intervention from the European Commission.

He said: “Norwegian Air is undercutting prices while in debt and receiving public funding from Norway. That’s something I cannot accept because the rules of competition should be the same for everyone."

The French carrier, based at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, operates a fleet made up of three Airbus A330-200s and one A330-300.