The future of Zoom Airlines is in doubt after a flight bound for Glasgow and Gatwick via Vancouver was grounded in Calgary last night.
Up to 69 passengers bound for the UK were stranded.
Canadian airline Zoom offers budget, transatlantic fares from the UK primarily to Canada, but also to New York, Fort Lauderdale, San Diego and Bermuda. It operates from Gatwick, Manchester, Glasgow, Cardiff and Belfast.
The carrier’s demise would mark the end of the attempt to expand budget travel to long-haul routes.
Analysts fear a string of airine failures are around the corner due to the high oil price, squeeze on lending and falling consumer spending.
The Zoom Airlines Boeing 767 aircraft was grounded after a charter leasing company terminated its contract with Zoom over unpaid bills. A fuel supplier at the airport reportedly refused to refuel the aircraft.
According to the Calgary Herald, bills for landing and take off at the airport have also gone unpaid.
The UK’s Civil Aviation Authority is examining the situation. No one from Zoom was available for comment.