It is the second French airline in less than three weeks to declare a cessation of payment and to seek a buyer: after Aigle Azur, XL Airways asked Thursday for its placement in receivership.
Quickly initiate the search for a buyer
"For more than a year, the management has negotiated with several buyers.These negotiations were not successful and the company must now be placed under the protection of the Commercial Court of Bobigny," said Thursday evening the company in a statement. The works council had been informed in the afternoon, before the start of the procedure.
"President Laurent Magnin briefed all staff and explained the progress of the procedure.The objective is to ensure the payment of salaries and to quickly initiate the search for a buyer under the direction of the Commercial Court of Bobigny, "added the company.
Flights "likely to be canceled"
Based in Paris-Charles de Gaulle, the company employs 570 employees, posted to Roissy and flight crew. Abroad, staff depend on providers, it was said. Equipped with medium-capacity Airbus A330 long-haul flights, it carries nearly 700,000 long-haul passengers per year on four continents, mainly in North America, including the United States, the Caribbean and China.
"XL Airways is unfortunately forced to stop sales as of (Thursday) September 19 at night," she said. Some flights are "likely to be canceled" especially from Monday, passengers are also invited to check the status of their flights (via the website www.xl.com or a green number at their disposal +33.3.51.86.00.51 ), says XL Airways, which "apologizes to all of its customers". In addition, "the company is implementing all available means to support employees in this difficult period," she adds.
Situation "extremely difficult"
The company, owned by the French holding DreamJet Participations, was in "a situation become extremely difficult", having conducted unsuccessfully since 2018 discussions with several potential buyers, she said in his statement. Among its potential buyers at the time, Air France. But the departure of 2018 Jean-Marc Janaillac, the boss of the group, under pressure from a social movement, put an end to the project, according to a source close to the file. Dreamjet, which owns Compagnie Compagnie Airline, acquired 100% of XL Airways France in 2016.
Former French company Star Airlines, which was one of its main customers Club Med, XL Airways was renamed in 2006 after its acquisition by the British group XL Leisure Group. These difficulties come at the same time as those of Aigle Azur, also in default of payment, and which the Commercial Court of Evry decided the liquidation. The justice however granted until September 27th a reprieve to Aigle Azur.