Low-cost carrier Monarch, the UK’s fifth biggest airline, go into administration. The airline stopped trading midnight on Sunday and customers due to fly from the UK have been told not to go to the airport.
One of the reasons for the collapse is the terror attacks in Egypt and Turkey have striped of the airline a large chunk of its annual revenues and compel it to take part on heavily crowded traditional routes to Spain and Greece.
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Earlier this year, airlines Air Berlin and Alitalia announced on insolvency and started looking for new buyers.
“This is a difficult day for Monarch Airlines customers and employees of the company to be laid off,” said British Transport Minister Chris Grayling, who made it clear that the British government would do everything in its power to help those affected by the crash.
Monarch has been operating in Israel since the end of 2015. It operates six weekly flights on the UK-Israel route: three weekly flights from Luton Airport in London and another three flights from Manchester Airport. Since its launch in Israel, the company has also operated a seasonal flight (in November) to Ovda Airport, near Eilat.
The company’s fleet includes 35 Airbus and Boeing aircraft. It has recently ordered 45 additional Boeing 737s, which will probably not reach it.
Employees from Israel’s Monarch airline were surprised this morning when they were briefed on the news. “No one told us anything, all we know is what is written on the website because we can not get our people in the UK.”
There are up to 110,000 customers currently abroad. The UK Government has asked the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to coordinate more than 30 aircraft to fly them back home. These new flights will be at no additional cost to the passengers. There is no need to cut short a stay, the CAA said.
An announcement on the company’s website it says:
Monarch has confirmed that the following companies have ceased trading and now entered administration:
- Monarch Airlines Ltd
- Monarch Holidays Ltd (ATOL Number 2275)
- First Aviation Ltd (ATOL Number 4888) previously trading as Monarch Airlines
- Avro Ltd (ATOL Number 1939)
- Somewhere2stay Ltd
As a result, we are sorry to inform you that, as of 2 October 2017, all future holidays and flights provided by these companies have been cancelled and are no longer operating.
Advice to Monarch customers, issued by CAA
Customers already abroad
If you due to return to the UK on or before 15 October 2017 Monarch making arrangements for you to return home to the UK on a new flight, at the end of your holiday.
If you are due to return to the UK after this date, read this additional information.
For more details of your new flight read I am currently abroad.
Customers yet to travel out of the UK
Information is available at I have a future booking and have not traveled yet.
- The CAA also has a 24-hour helpline: 0300 303 2800 from the UK and Ireland and +44 1753 330330 from overseas
