Zoom Airlines goes bankrupt stranding passengers in UK and Canada

Zoom Airlines, a prominent Canadian discount carrier, declared bankruptcy this afternoon  and immediately cancelled all of its flights leaving hundreds of travellers stranded at airports in Britain and Canada. Zoom concentrated on offering passengers cheap, transatlantic service between Canada and the United Kingdom. More recently, the airline also started offering flights from cities in the US to the UK. Founded in 2002 and based in Ottawa, Zoom flew to several major cities and airports in the UK, including London Gatwick, Manchester, Cardiff, Glasgow and Belfast, as well as to a smaller number of continental European cities, such as Paris and Rome.

Passengers in the UK and Canada have been left to fend for themselves, as British aviation officials forced the Canadian airline to ground all of its planes. The situation even escalated to the point where the Civil Aviation Authority ordered the Glasgow Airport to seize one of Zoom’s Boeing 757 planes, due to the company’s outstanding debt.

The Canadian Press (CP) reported that 213 passengers were left stranded at the Halifax Airport this afternoon, with customers trying to travel home to the UK having to buy new, more much expensive tickets with their credit cards. A message on Zoom’s website informed passengers that the carrier will not be offering any refunds and that it is up to customers to contact their credit card issuer and arrange to get their money back. John Boyle, one of Zoom’s founders, noted that this was a “tragic day” for his company and explained how he “deeply regrets” that the carrier had to cease all operations so suddenly and without any warning.

Analysts point out that Zoom is one of several carriers that could not remain profitable due to soaring fuel prices.

www.flyzoom.com