Four UK airlines have entered administration or liquidation this year, resulting in the cancellation of all bookings and holidays. The warning comes as July begins, with UK holidaymakers and tourists looking forward to summer sun.
Affected Airlines
The airlines that have closed include Ascend Airways (liquidation), EcoJet Airlines (liquidation), Zenith Aviation Limited (administration), and European Cargo (administration). European Cargo, headquartered at Bournemouth International Airport, appointed joint administrators on Wednesday after a period of "significant financial pressure."
European Cargo Statement
A statement on European Cargo's website said: "The company has ceased trading and, regrettably, redundancies are being made. Affected employees are being contacted as a priority – while also engaging with customers, suppliers, creditors and other key stakeholders."
Impact on Bournemouth Airport
Aviation analyst Tomos Shah-Howells described the collapse as "like a real sucker punch" for Bournemouth airport, given the airline’s recent growth plans and investments. He said: "You look at where this airline was heading and the ambitions they had and the growth they had. And I know that Bournemouth did absolutely fantastic work helping them expand their operations... My heart really goes out to the people at Bournemouth airport and all of the staff that work there as well."
EcoJet Airlines Liquidation
EcoJet Airlines, the Edinburgh-based company that aimed to become the world's first electric airline, formally entered liquidation last month. Paul Dounis and Mark Harper from Opus Restructuring were appointed joint liquidators, according to a notice published in the Gazette government records on May 1. The airline was founded in 2023 by Dale Vince, the founder of Ecotricity and owner of Forest Green Rovers.
