Airline piloted by Iron Maiden singer collapses
UK charter carrier Astraeus Airlines, whose pilots included Iron Maiden lead singer Bruce Dickinson, has gone into administration. The Crawley-based company blamed a lack of business in 2011 for its decision to cease trading today.
Astraeus, which leased aircraft to other airlines, said it was making every effort to ensure that all passengers would be able to complete their journeys.
Dickinson flew the airline's last flight from Jeddah in Saudi Arabia to Manchester yesterday, according to the BBC.
Astraeus, owned by an Icelandic firm, leased aircraft to several other airlines, including BMI and Iceland Express. Yesterday, Iceland Express said it had arranged to lease aircraft from CSA Holidays, a subsidiary of Czech Airlines.
Iceland Express said that, as a result of the switch, it would operate newer aircraft on flights from London to Reykjavik. CSA Holidays will provide the budget carrier with two Airbus 320 aircraft, seating 180 passengers.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026