New ski airline on the brink of collapse
Some 5,000 skiers who booked flights with a specialist airline this winter could be left in the lurch after the airline admitted this morning that it was struggling to get off the ground.
Powdair was due to start flights from six UK airports to Sion in Switzerland early next month, but in a statement released yesterday the start up airline said it had lost its main financial backer.
The statement, which was sent to all its passengers, said its options were to postpone its launch or raise ‘significant additional funds’ from individual investors by the end of the week.
"At this late stage, community ownership is realistically the only way we’ll be able to make Powdair operational this winter," it said.
The airline is looking to raise at least £3 million this season – £1 million of which must be raised by the end of the week. It says this will allow it to operate a ‘reduced but efficient’ schedule.
Those who have booked flights between December 11 and 17 will be contacted by the airline shortly. It is promising they will receive full refunds if flights are cancelled.
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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