Another Airline Bites The Dust, Strands Over 400,000 Flyers
Joe Cortez October 02, 2017
After ceasing stock trading, airline grounds all flights without warning
British air carrier Monarch Airlines is completely grounded, canceling all flights and stranding flyers across Europe after entering bankruptcy. The United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) announced Monarch and all of their associated companies, including Monarch Holidays, First Aviation and Somewhere2stay, are all in administration, with all flights ended.
The CAA estimates over 400,000 flyers are directly affected by the grounding, including 110,000 currently outside of the nation. According to BBC News, those affected include a bride and groom heading to a destination wedding, as well as those with travel plans to see other European destinations in the fall.
As of October 2, 2017, the Monarch website has been taken down and is redirecting to the CAA landing page. The Monarch Twitter account remains online, but advises flyers that it is “no longer being monitored.”
Monarch customers in the UK: don’t go to the airport. There will be no more Monarch flights. This page will no longer be monitored. pic.twitter.com/hzfQGZ0Ty8
— Monarch (@Monarch) October 2, 2017
“This is an unprecedented situation and because there are up to 110,000 passengers abroad, the UK Government has asked the CAA to coordinate flights back to the UK for all Monarch customers currently overseas,” the CAA website reads. “These new flights will be at no extra cost to you.”
Airlines UK, the trade organization representing British airlines, called the news “a very sad day for the UK airline industry.” In a statement, organization president Tim Alderslade expressed sadness for those affected, including passengers and employees.
Those who have plans aboard Monarch are being advised to stay at home and not travel to the airport, as “all future fights and holidays…have been cancelled and are no longer operating.” Other airlines are reported to be scrambling resources to help travelers who are affected by the flights, as the CAA will organize over 700 return flights for passengers.
This is a breaking news story. FlyerTalk reporters and staff will provide updates as the situation develops.
Symposium - the CAA figures include only people booked to travel TO the UK in the next two weeks, less those they know have not yet left the UK. (as they are on a return booking). The number of people stranded is much higher, as it includes people looking to travel from the UK. Both to begin trips abroad, and they could now be needing 2 replacement flights. To return home. Or people travelling one way - as lots of us do nowadays, only booking the other flight when ready. Monarch was a scheduled provided, the number of package holiday customers is far smaller than people think. Also Monarch had a far higher loyal/regular customer base among people living at its destinations (rather than UK bases) compared to most other UK based airlines (for various historic reasons).
Headline is misleading. If the CAA has said 110,000 are outside the country, then only those are “stranded”. You can’t be “stranded” at home!