Passengers stranded as Spanair folds

By admin


The collapse of Spanair has left around 23,000 passengers stranded as Spain’s loss-making airline grounded its services following the withdrawal of state funding on Friday.

The Star Alliance member, Spain’s fourth largest airline, filed for bankruptcy protection blaming “a lack of financial visibility for the coming months” as last ditch efforts to win investment from Qatar Airways failed.
The airline’s damaged image in the wake of its 2008 crash which resulted in 154 deaths combined with tough competition and the Spanish financial crisis are also thought to have contributed to the airline’s demise.
Former major shareholder Scandinavian Airlines wrote down its remaining 10.9% share of the airline to 1.7 billion Swedish kronor, but remained confident the write-down’s effect on its business would be limited.
Meanwhile, the Spanish government has reportedly started legal proceedings against the airline prompted by the grounding which could see it fined around nine million Euros.

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

Latest News

  • Partner Content

My journey: Before becoming a travel agent I was… a palliative care nurse 

Australind Travel & Cruise, Travellers Choice member Saibra Twigg reveals her life as paediatric nurse then to palliative care before a career leap to travel agent. How did you become a palliative care nurse?  ST I went straight from school in nursing and initially specialised in paediatrics, working at Perth’s Princess Margaret Hospital for Children. […]

Partner Content

by Travel Weekly

Travel Weekly
  • Destinations
  • News

APT Launches 2025 Asia Adventures

APT has launched its Asia Adventures for 2025, including new luxury holidays in India, Sri Lanka and Japan. Five new tours lead guests to the highlights of India, including a seven-night cruise along the rarely travelled Lower Ganges aboard the Ganges Voyager. Further south, Sri Lanka’s greatest destinations are revealed on a new 15-day Land […]

  • Cruise
  • Luxury
  • News

Seabourn announces Western Kimberley Traditional Owners as Godparents of Seabourn Pursuit

Seabourn has named Western Kimberley Traditional Owners, the Wunambal Gaambera, as Godparents of the ultra-luxury purpose-built Seabourn Pursuit. It is the first cruise line to appoint Traditional Owners as godparents of a ship. Seabourn Pursuit embarks on its inaugural season in the Kimberley region this June. The naming ceremony will take place on Seabourn Pursuit’s […]