XL Airways Germany
| Company type | GmbH |
|---|---|
| Industry | Airline |
| Founded | May 3, 2006 |
| Defunct | January 3, 2013 |
| Fate | Insolvency and ceased operations |
| Headquarters | Mörfelden-Walldorf , Germany |
Area served | Europe, North Africa, Turkey |
| Products | Charter and occasional lease flights |
| Owner | ALMC hf (formerly Straumur Investment Bank) |
XL Airways Germany GmbH operated as a German charter airline based in Mörfelden-Walldorf, Hesse, focusing on charter and occasional lease flights mainly out of Frankfurt Airport. It was owned by ALMC hf (formerly Straumur Investment Bank) from Iceland, alongside the now-defunct XL Airways France.
History
Initially established as Star XL German Airlines by the Icelandic firm Eimskip, the airline obtained its Air Operator's Certificate on 3 May 2006. Later that year, following XL Leisure Group's acquisition and restructuring of Avion leisure operations, the airline was renamed XL Airways Germany.
In September 2008, due to escalating fuel expenses, XL Leisure Group entered administration; nevertheless, the German and French branches remained operational. On 12 September 2008, Straumur Investment Bank took ownership of both XL Airways Germany and XL Airways France.
After halting winter services on 14 December 2012, the company filed for insolvency on 27 December 2012 and officially terminated its operations on 3 January 2013.
Destinations
By December 2012, XL Airways Germany offered flights to various seasonal and year-round holiday locations throughout Europe, North Africa, and Turkey, with bases located at Frankfurt and Hannover airports. Prominent destinations included Egypt (Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh), Germany (major hubs such as Cologne/Bonn, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Munich), Greece (Heraklion), Kosovo (Pristina), North Macedonia (Skopje), Morocco (Marrakesh), Portugal (Faro), Spain (Fuerteventura, Menorca), Tunisia (Enfidha), and Turkey (Adana, Antalya, Kayseri among others).
Fleet at closure
As of December 2012, the airline's fleet consisted of:
| Aircraft | In service |
Orders | Passengers | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boeing 737-800 | 4 | — | 189 | |
| Total | 4 | — | ||
Previously operated aircraft
Aircraft formerly flown by the carrier included:
| Aircraft | Total | Introduced | Retired | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbus A320-200 | 4 | 2006 | 2008 | Two leased from USA3000 Airlines; one leased from Air New Zealand |
Accidents and incidents
- On 27 November 2008, an Airbus A320-200 registered D-AXLA and leased from Air New Zealand while operated by XL Airways Germany crashed into the Mediterranean Sea near Canet-en-Roussillon during a technical flight preceding delivery. All seven individuals aboard—two crew members from XL Airways Germany and five personnel from New Zealand—lost their lives. At that time, the aircraft bore Air New Zealand’s livery.