Hundreds stranded as Zoom goes bust

(29 August 2008)

Hundreds of passengers have been left stranded in Canada and Britain after low-cost airline Zoom went bust on Thursday.

The Canadian carrier has grounded all its flights and is applying to go into administration.

Passengers flying with Zoom have been advised to rebook flights with other carriers and contact their credit or debit card companies for refunds.

The airline blamed its problems on the credit crunch and on the price of jet fuel, which has added $50million (£27.3million) to its fuel bills.

Zoom founders Hugh and John Boyle said it was a “tragic day for our passengers and staff.”

“We are desperately sorry for the inconvenience and disappointment that this will cause passengers and those who have booked flights.”

Zoom employs 450 staff in Canada and 260 in the UK, operating flights from Gatwick, Glasgow, Manchester, Cardiff and Belfast among others.