Zoom Airlines files for bankruptcy

Zoom Airlines has begun bankruptcy proceedings after failing to come to grips with rising aviation fuel prices. The discount carrier, which has UK offices at Gatwick Airport, has cancelled all future flights while leaving hundreds of passengers stranded.

The Canadian-based airline has issued a statement confirming it has suspended all of its flights.

In the statement, founders John and Hugh Boyle say: “We deeply regret the fact that we have been forced to cease all Zoom operations. We are desperately sorry for the inconvenience and disappointment that this will cause passengers and those who have booked flights.”

The company has blamed rising fuel costs which has added £27m to its annual costs, as well as the general economic downturn for its problems.

Zoom Airlines has 450 employees in Canada and 260 in the UK.

Last night, a Zoom flight bound for Halifax, Canada, was held at Glasgow Airport over non-payment of air traffic control charges, leaving over 200 passengers stranded.

Another aircraft was unable to fly back to the UK from Calgary after the company which owns the plane terminated its lease with the carrier, leaving a further 156 passengers stranded.