Pilots call for XL inquiry

Airline pilots have urged the Government to launch an inquiry into the collapse of travel giant XL after voicing a number of concerns which they want putting "under the microscope."

The British Airline Pilots Association said it could not understand how XL planes were flown back to the UK empty while a mission to repatriate thousands of stranded holidaymakers was under way.

Pilots also want a high level review of how compensation claims are dealt with and called on the Government to help workers suddenly laid off by the crisis.

General secretary Jim McAuslan said in a letter to Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly: "The sale of the French and German subsidiaries on the day of the collapse has surprised our members and they want an explanation. It would be too easy for the big financial upheavals of the past week to let the XL situation slip by unremarked.

"It is being suggested to pilots who are owed money that the cupboard is bare. Well, someone's cupboard is not bare.

"The series of collapses highlights the fragility of an industry which employs so many people and contributes so much to the UK economy. The last thing we need is more taxes and we ask you to press the Treasury to call a halt to the plans for aviation duty. The industry needs breathing space."