Bookings and holidays cancelled after 4 UK airlines collapse into administration

Holidaymakers have been warned to check their travel plans after four UK airlines collapsed into administration or liquidation this year, leaving bookings cancelled and raising fresh concerns ahead of the busy summer getaway season.

With July marking the start of the peak holiday period, thousands of Brits are preparing to head overseas. However, the collapse of four aviation firms has highlighted the financial pressures still facing parts of the airline industry.

The airlines affected are Ascend Airways, which entered liquidation, EcoJet Airlines, which also entered liquidation, and Zenith Aviation Limited and European Cargo, both of which have entered administration.

The latest casualty is European Cargo, which was based at Bournemouth International Airport. The freight airline appointed joint administrators on Wednesday after experiencing what it described as "significant financial pressure".

In a statement published on its website, the company 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."

The collapse has been described as a major setback for Bournemouth Airport, where the airline had recently expanded its operations.

Aviation analyst Tomos Shah-Howells 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."

Mr Shah-Howells said one of the challenges facing the airline was its fleet of ageing Airbus A340-600 aircraft.

"They use the Airbus A340-600 aircraft, it's a very old aircraft, a four-engine, large, wide-body plane," he said.

"It's not traditionally used by many airlines around the world anymore, just because of the rising costs of operating these aircraft."

Meanwhile, Edinburgh-based EcoJet Airlines, which had ambitions to become the world's first electric airline, formally entered liquidation last month.

Paul Dounis and Mark Harper of Opus Restructuring were appointed as joint liquidators, according to a notice published in The Gazette on May 1.

EcoJet was founded in 2023 by Ecotricity founder and Forest Green Rovers owner Dale Vince, with plans to revolutionise regional air travel through electric-powered aircraft.

While EcoJet never launched commercial passenger services, its collapse marks another blow for the UK's aviation sector as firms continue to grapple with rising operating costs and financial pressures.

Passengers with bookings involving any of the affected airlines are advised to contact their travel provider or booking agent to determine whether alternative arrangements are available and whether they may be entitled to a refund.