Thousands stranded as Primera Air collapses
Primera Air has ceased operations, affecting thousands of passengers.
Two Stansted flights to Washington and New York due to leave on Monday night were cancelled and a flight from Birmingham to Malaga was already in flight when the news broke.
Stansted Airport issued a statement telling passengers booked with the airline not to come to the airport.
The failure comes after 14 years of operating for the Riga-based carrier, which started out as a short-haul operator in Europe and the Middle East.
More recently, it established itself as a low-cost, long-haul airline out of Europe and the UK, with one-way fares from £99, operating to Newark Liberty and Boston from London Stansted and Birmingham as well as Paris.
Two months ago, it announced it was adding extra flights next summer into the US, with services from Brussels to Boston, Newark and Washington.
But this summer it suspended all flights from Birmingham to New York and Toronto from June 21, blaming delays in the delivery of its A321neo fleet by Airbus.
In a message to customers, the airline’s Board said it had been working relentlessly to secure long-term financing but had no other choice but to file for bankruptcy.
It blamed tough competition, high fuel costs and several ‘unforeseen misfortunate events’ in the last two years, including having to lose an aircraft due to severe corrosion problems, leading to a loss of €10 million.
It said despite a ‘fantastic start’ in 2018, severe delays with new Airbus 321neo aircraft had led to forced cancellations and lost revenue.
On its website it thanked customers for their loyalty. "On this sad day we are saying goodbye to all of you," it said.
The Civil Aviation Authority has issued advice for affected passengers, telling them the airline was not covered by its ATOL protection scheme.
It said passengers who booked with a credit, charge or debit card might be able to make a claim against their card provider, but are likely to be asked for a negative response letter. It said this letter will be published shortly.
Passengers who are overseas must make their own arragements to return home and are being advised to contact their travel insurer or agent for assistance.
Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
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 
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps