Posted on 01/28/2012 9:42:10 PM PST by tcrlaf
MADRID – Thousands of passengers faced travel disruptions across Spain Saturday after domestic carrier Spanair canceled all of its flights late Friday night and prepared to file for bankruptcy protection.
The collapse of the Barcelona carrier took place shortly after Qatar Airways walked away from talks to take over the airline after months of negotiations.
"Due to a lack of financial visibility for the coming months, the company has had no option but to cease flying out of a duty of care for the safety of its operation and the well being of all concerned," Spanair said in a statement late Friday. "The appropriate next steps will be taken as soon as possible."
More than 200 Spanair flights have been canceled, affecting more than 22,000 passengers. Public Works Minister Ana Pastor said Saturday the government may slap Spanair with about $12 million in fines and cancel its airline license due to the sudden cancellation of flights and failure to assist passengers. assist customers and reimburse canceled tickets.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
"The Public Works Ministry, which supervises the transport sector, said Spanair is required to assist customers and reimburse canceled tickets."
Many affected passengers complained on local television stations that Spanair was struggling to provide flight alternatives or even return the luggage from passengers who checked in shortly before all flights were canceled."
Uhh... Yeah...
Having been in at the last days of a couple of different airlines, I can tell you from experience that the only employees sticking around when they find out the last pay check is going to bounce, are those who either absolutely love the biz, or have nowhere else to go.
I still have my last paycheck from Eastern Airlines on the wall above my desk, with "NSF" stamped across it in big red letters.
The memory, and the momento, was worth far more to me than the 10 cents on the dollar settlement years later.
Not a small carrier, 20 Airbuses or so with 3,000 employees
Lots of story behind this one...
Legacy carrier with HIGH costs, and a problem union, in an environment of low fare, low cost competition, based in a country with a 23% government caused/induced unemployment rate.
Adding insult to injury, Iberia’s Pilot’s Union is doing a two-day wildcat strike over Iberia’s plans to launch a low-cost carrier to compete in Europe.
I wonder if they will get the message?
The plane in Spain stays mainly...on the ground?
The pain in Spain stays mainly on the ground.
The pain in Spain stays mainly on the ground.
LOL!!
And the direction of the falling dominos is towards the west (USA) as if any one thinks that things can keep on going the way they are is living in a dream world.
the reporters in Davos will be breathless....
By Jorge, I think You’ve Got It!
Have you had it appraised on Pawn Stars yet?
‘Lots of story behind this one...
Legacy carrier with HIGH costs, and a problem union, in an environment of low fare, low cost competition, based in a country with a 23% government caused/induced unemployment rate.”
Sounds like here in the USA!
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