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Cobalt Air warns passengers that all flights are cancelled Cobalt Air warns passengers that all flights are cancelled
(35 minutes later)
Cypriot airline Cobalt has cancelled all its flights and indefinitely suspended operations, advising customers not to go to the airport. The Cypriot airline Cobalt Air has cancelled all its flights and indefinitely suspended operations, advising customers not to go to the airport.
Cobalt, which had taken passengers to and from Cyprus since 2016, flew to 23 destinations and operated flights at Heathrow, Stansted, Gatwick and Manchester. It cancelled all flights from 11.50pm on Wednesday night, the airline announced in a statement published on its website.Cobalt, which had taken passengers to and from Cyprus since 2016, flew to 23 destinations and operated flights at Heathrow, Stansted, Gatwick and Manchester. It cancelled all flights from 11.50pm on Wednesday night, the airline announced in a statement published on its website.
In a later statement quoted by the Cyprus Mail newspaper, Cobalt said it had called in administrators after failing to secure long-term funding.In a later statement quoted by the Cyprus Mail newspaper, Cobalt said it had called in administrators after failing to secure long-term funding.
“It is with great regret that we must inform you that Cobalt Air will cease all operations at midnight on 17 October 2018 and enter into administration process, after two years and three months of operations,” the statement read.“It is with great regret that we must inform you that Cobalt Air will cease all operations at midnight on 17 October 2018 and enter into administration process, after two years and three months of operations,” the statement read.
“[It] is a sad day for all the employees and passengers of Cobalt Air. The company has been working relentlessly during the past months to secure the long-term financing of the airline.”“[It] is a sad day for all the employees and passengers of Cobalt Air. The company has been working relentlessly during the past months to secure the long-term financing of the airline.”
The Cypriot transport minister, Vasiliki Anastasiadou, pledged state support for all those stranded in Cyprus or overseas and said telephone numbers would be announced soon to help passengers.The Cypriot transport minister, Vasiliki Anastasiadou, pledged state support for all those stranded in Cyprus or overseas and said telephone numbers would be announced soon to help passengers.
Cobalt’s demise comes after the Danish budget carrier Primera Air collapsed earlier this month. The UK regional airline Flybe warned of mounting annual losses on Wednesday, blaming weaker consumer demand and higher fuel prices.Cobalt’s demise comes after the Danish budget carrier Primera Air collapsed earlier this month. The UK regional airline Flybe warned of mounting annual losses on Wednesday, blaming weaker consumer demand and higher fuel prices.
Of the Cobalt crisis, Heathrow airport said: “We will provide assistance to customers who turn up at the airport.” Of the Cobalt situation, Heathrow said: “We will provide assistance to customers who turn up at the airport.”
On its website, Cobalt advised passengers who have unused tickets not to go to Larnaca airport or any departure airport on Thursday because no Cobalt flights would be operating and no Cobalt staff would be present.On its website, Cobalt advised passengers who have unused tickets not to go to Larnaca airport or any departure airport on Thursday because no Cobalt flights would be operating and no Cobalt staff would be present.
The largest Cyprus-based airline also advised travellers to contact their credit card provider or travel agent for refunds.The largest Cyprus-based airline also advised travellers to contact their credit card provider or travel agent for refunds.
The airline has six aircraft and about 200 staff, and was founded after the demise of the state-run Cyprus Airways in 2015. It was not immediately clear how many customers will be affected by Cobalt’s flight cancellations.The airline has six aircraft and about 200 staff, and was founded after the demise of the state-run Cyprus Airways in 2015. It was not immediately clear how many customers will be affected by Cobalt’s flight cancellations.
The Guardian reporter Aamna Mohdin is among those affected.The Guardian reporter Aamna Mohdin is among those affected.
She said: “My husband, Chris, and I booked tickets to fly out to Cyprus on Sunday for our honeymoon but woke up to the unpleasant surprise that Cobalt Air has cancelled all flights and would be going into liquidation. We were able to quickly rebook tickets with Ryanair but don’t think we’ll have much luck getting a refund for the original flight as we booked directly with Cobalt Air using a debit card.She said: “My husband, Chris, and I booked tickets to fly out to Cyprus on Sunday for our honeymoon but woke up to the unpleasant surprise that Cobalt Air has cancelled all flights and would be going into liquidation. We were able to quickly rebook tickets with Ryanair but don’t think we’ll have much luck getting a refund for the original flight as we booked directly with Cobalt Air using a debit card.
“Top tips: get travel insurance, book flights with a credit card and find a partner who can make you laugh despite waking up to the news you’ve both lost hundreds of pounds.”“Top tips: get travel insurance, book flights with a credit card and find a partner who can make you laugh despite waking up to the news you’ve both lost hundreds of pounds.”
As with Primera, the Civil Aviation Authority said it would not intervene to bring UK passengers home. As Cobalt is not a UK airline, it is not covered by the Atol protection scheme. Atol protects most air package holidays sold by travel businesses that are licensed in the UK.As with Primera, the Civil Aviation Authority said it would not intervene to bring UK passengers home. As Cobalt is not a UK airline, it is not covered by the Atol protection scheme. Atol protects most air package holidays sold by travel businesses that are licensed in the UK.
When the British airline Monarch went bust a year ago, about 110,000 customers were brought home by the CAA on specially chartered planes, in the UK’s biggest peacetime repatriation.When the British airline Monarch went bust a year ago, about 110,000 customers were brought home by the CAA on specially chartered planes, in the UK’s biggest peacetime repatriation.
Neil Wilson, an analyst at markets.com, was also due to fly with Cobalt on Sunday.Neil Wilson, an analyst at markets.com, was also due to fly with Cobalt on Sunday.
I was due to fly on Cobalt this Sunday....unfortunately I don't think the company's failure gets me out of the tripI was due to fly on Cobalt this Sunday....unfortunately I don't think the company's failure gets me out of the trip
Airline industryAirline industry
CyprusCyprus
EuropeEurope
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