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
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