I WAS one of thousands of unfortunate travellers affected by the recent collapse of the XL group ("Holiday from Xhell", Post, September 13).

Luckier than a lot of people, we were on the last day of our Kosmar holiday when the news broke.

I have nothing but admiration for the Kosmar reps who, despite being visibly shocked and devastated at losing their jobs, acted with complete professionalism and care from the time the news broke until getting us on to the plane home.

We also heard first-hand from locals in our resort of Makriyalos, Crete, how unpaid bills (running into thousands of euros) and loss of the tourist trade will affect them, particularly next season. Yet despite this, everyone was so friendly and helpful, even giving free drinks to "stranded people".

After 36 hours of uncertainty, the Civil Aviation Authority repatriation system kicked in and we were put on a flight back to Manchester and promised transfers back to our original destination airport of Bristol.

Unfortunately, this is where it all went wrong. Due to people from other airports thinking it would be easier for them to get home from Bristol, they took seats on the Bristol coach, leaving 16 people now stranded in Manchester airport. There was no CAA representative at the airport to help, and when phoned, they claimed their job was done as we were back in the UK.

We had to fund a coach back to Bristol at our own expense, and needless to say, this isn't covered by travel insurance.

Clearly there are currently thousands of people in far worse positions, paying hundreds of pounds for flights home, stranded for days at airports with sick children.

Surely there is something wrong with the protection provided to people at times like this? Why are only package-deal customers covered? If not covered by the CAA, surely travel insurance should cover this situation?

And why on earth didn't the CAA just keep the existing XL flights running to get everyone home. We saw two XL planes at the airport when we arrived home – it adds insult to injury!

Amberley Jenkins, St George, Bristol.