Viking suspends flights…
Viking Airlines AB has suspended flights from the UK but claims that the move is only temporary.
The Swedish-based airlines, which operated holiday flights from London Gatwick and Manchester, said in a statement that it was planning a restructure that would take three months.
It has returned all four leased aircraft to their owners, but the airline claimed no customers had been left stranded.
It added: " “As part of a plan to downsize the Swedish airline Viking AB for the winter season, three leased Boeing 737-800s and a single Boeing 737-300 have been returned to their respective lessors.
“As a result, this week, the airline has temporarily ceased operations, but all contracted flying is covered for the remaining season. Importantly, no-one has been or will be stranded.
“While job losses are, unfortunately, inevitable in the UK, the intention is to take the next three months to reorganise and restructure Viking AB so as to be in a position to add new aircraft for the summer 2011 season."
A spokesman for the airline said he was expecting an updated statement today.
By Linsey McNeill
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
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent
Strike action set to cause travel chaos at Brussels airports