JERSEYEuropean Airways is emerging as the most likely carrier to rescue parts of Debonair (Travel Weekly October 4).
The airline is understood to be interested in taking on the leases for Debonair’s 12-strong fleet of 100-seater BAe146s. The airline refused to comment.
Southend-based Flightline, which flies BAe146s for tour operators and other airlines, is also looking at Debonair’s operations. The carrier also refused to comment on its plans.
Debonair’s administrators Deloitte and Touche confirmed it was talking to other airlines, but would name only Lufthansa and Swissair.
As Travel Weekly went to press, a spokeswoman for Deloitte and Touche said 87 non-core Debonair staff had been made redundant out of a workforce of 480.
The future of the rest remains uncertain, but the spokeswoman said the firm’s role was to protect as many jobs as possible.
Debonair’s failure follows the collapse of plans to raise urgently needed capital with a float on the London Stock Exchange.
The airline raised £25m two years ago by floating on the European Stock Market Easdaq, but it is believed to have run up debts of around £40m since.