Excel Airways (JN, London Gatwick (LGW)) parent XL Leisure Group has been sold by Icelandic investor Avion Group to a new investment company led by CEO Philip Wyatt as part of a management buy-out. XL Leisure Group also includes Star Airlines (France) (SE/Paris CDG) and Star XL German Airlines (GXL/Frankfurt). Excel Airways has now been rebranded as XL Airways UK, Star Airlines as XL Airways France and Star XL as XL Airways Germany.

Star XL German Airlines (GXL, Frankfurt International (FRA)) has leased two A320-200s from USA 3000 Airlines (U5/Philadelphia) and will lease a third aircraft from the US low-cost carrier later this year. One aircraft is operating on behalf of Hellas Jet (T4/Athens), the other two have been wet-leased to Volareweb.com (VA/Milan Linate). Star XL German Airlines and Star Airlines (France) (SE/Paris CDG) are expected to wet-lease up to four A320-200s to Skywest Airlines (Australia) (XR/Perth) for the Australian summer season.

Volare Airlines (VE, Milan Malpensa (MXP)) has wet-leased an A320-200 from Star XL German Airlines (GXL/Frankfurt) with a second aircraft to follow in November until Volare will lease additional own aircraft in 2007. Italian courts have now allowed Alitalia (AZ/Rome Fiumicino) to take over the carrier.

Star XL German Airlines (GXL, Frankfurt International (FRA)) has launched charter services on behalf of various tour operators with an ex-Freedom Air (New Zealand) (SJ/Auckland) A320-200. It will temporarily lease three A320-200s from USA 3000 Airlines (U5/Philadelphia) during the summer charter season.

Star XL German Airlines (GXL, Frankfurt International (FRA)) has taken delivery of a first ex-Star Airlines (SE/Paris CDG) A320-200 and will launch charter services. The carrier is the successor of bankrupt charter carrier Aero Flight and owned by the Icelandic aviation holding Avion Group.