Thousands stranded as European airline goes bust
Icelandic-owned Sterling Airways has cancelled all flights, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded at London Gatwick and thousands stranded across Europe.
The low-cost airline, which flies from Gatwick to Copenhagen, Stockholm and other Scandinavian cities, said it was filling for bankruptcy and blamed the Icelandic financial crisis for its decline.
"Over a three to four week period, the whole financial system melted down, and that resulted in our shareholder being unable to continue his support to the company," the airline said in a statement.
"Negotiations have been conducted with several potential investors, but it was impossible to make ends meet. The inevitable result is that Sterling Airlines A/S has no option but to file for bankruptcy."
The airline is owned by Iceland's Northern Travel Holdings and employs around 1,100 staff.
It flew to 40 destinations, mainly from its hubs in Copenhagen, Oslo and Stockholm.
Customers who have directly purchased their tickets on Sterling's website will not be refunded, even for their return flights.
They will have to book return flights with another airline.
Those who have paid by credit card are advised to contact their bank or credit card company to ask for a possible refund.
Customers who have booked their flights through a travel agency or tour operator should initially contact them.
With permission from Travelmole
Low-cost rivals step in to help stranded Sterling passengers
EasyJet has launched a special rescue fare of £35 for passengers left stranded after the cancellation of Sterling Airline flights today.
The fare includes all taxes and charges and one checked in bag up to a maximum of 20kgs, but is only applicable to passengers who are not covered by any airline insurance scheme.
The offer is available to any Sterling passenger due to travel home during the next seven days, or until midnight on November 5.
EasyJet flies to Copenhagen from Berlin, London and Milan, three routes that were also operated by Sterling.
Passengers from the UK should call the easyJet customer services on 0871 244 2366 and those from outside the UK should call 0044 870 6 000 000.
Passengers must provide the agent with their Sterling booking reference number and present their Sterling booking confirmation at check as further proof of booking.
Meanwhile, Ryanair has launched a less generous €100 rescue fare for Sterling passengers.
This fare applies to flights returning to Aarhus, Billund, Gothenburg, Oslo (Torp) and Stockholm (Skavsta).
Ryanair's rescue fare can be booked via the Ryanair website until Friday 7 November and applies to stranded Sterling passengers only.
Ryanair's Stephen McNamara said: "Sterling today failed it passengers by leaving them stranded thousands of miles from home. This underlines the risk of flying with an airline that is not financially stable and is unable to guarantee its survival in tough economic times."
Passengers must quote their Sterling booking reference and bring the same for verification at the airport check-in point.
With permission from Travelmole
EasyJet has launched a special rescue fare of £35 for passengers left stranded after the cancellation of Sterling Airline flights today.
The fare includes all taxes and charges and one checked in bag up to a maximum of 20kgs, but is only applicable to passengers who are not covered by any airline insurance scheme.
The offer is available to any Sterling passenger due to travel home during the next seven days, or until midnight on November 5.
EasyJet flies to Copenhagen from Berlin, London and Milan, three routes that were also operated by Sterling.
Passengers from the UK should call the easyJet customer services on 0871 244 2366 and those from outside the UK should call 0044 870 6 000 000.
Passengers must provide the agent with their Sterling booking reference number and present their Sterling booking confirmation at check as further proof of booking.
Meanwhile, Ryanair has launched a less generous €100 rescue fare for Sterling passengers.
This fare applies to flights returning to Aarhus, Billund, Gothenburg, Oslo (Torp) and Stockholm (Skavsta).
Ryanair's rescue fare can be booked via the Ryanair website until Friday 7 November and applies to stranded Sterling passengers only.
Ryanair's Stephen McNamara said: "Sterling today failed it passengers by leaving them stranded thousands of miles from home. This underlines the risk of flying with an airline that is not financially stable and is unable to guarantee its survival in tough economic times."
Passengers must quote their Sterling booking reference and bring the same for verification at the airport check-in point.
With permission from Travelmole
Another long established airline goes to the wall.
Such a shame - they used to brighten up many a parking apron with their brightly coloured 737's (the yellow one, red one, blue one etc.) Shall be missed.
Nivsy
Such a shame - they used to brighten up many a parking apron with their brightly coloured 737's (the yellow one, red one, blue one etc.) Shall be missed.
Nivsy
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