Monarch ceases operations, UK CAA running repatriation flights

Captain_Crash

So, after years of license extensions, restructuing and losses it appears that Monarch won’t last the day unless they get another extension which from reports I’m seeing on Twitter, is doubtful

I’ve read that QR have A320’s ready to operate rescue flights for stranded passengers. Its a sad day for aviation

http://news.sky.com/story/monarch-prays-for-lifeline-as-caa-considers-licence-extension-11060556

Dardania

Weren't they in the precisely the same situation this time last year?

Graham

I wouldn't normally speculate on the future of an airline as the speculation itself can become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

In this instance however the sources are wide and varied...

It appears the survival of Monarch airlines is hanging on the impending decision of the UK CAA whether to temporarily extend its license or not.

Without the extension, the airline is likely to go into Administration in the next few days.

Sources state the regulator has spent the last few days sourcing aircraft in case the worst happens although this is being hampered by the number of aircraft being used for Caribbean evacuation flights.

Two Qatar A320s have recently arrived at Stanstead with up-to 8 further aircraft following....

Captain_Crash

Dardania wrote: »

Weren't they in the precisely the same situation this time last year?

They were yeah, only this year they have an extra 12 months of losses behind them, and there comes a time for the plug to be pulled, and this looks to be it.

This time around they have DY and U2 looking to buy parts of the airline, the vultures are circling

EchoIndia

Graham wrote: »

I wouldn't normally speculate on the future of an airline as the speculation itself can become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

In this instance however the sources are wide and varied...

It appears the survival of Monarch airlines is hanging on the impending decision of the UK CAA whether to temporarily extend its license or not.

Without the extension, the airline is likely to go into Administration in the next few days.

Sources state the regulator has spent the last few days sourcing aircraft in case the worst happens although this is being hampered by the number of aircraft being used for Caribbean evacuation flights.

Two Qatar A320s have recently arrived at Stanstead with up-to 8 further aircraft following....

The actual issue concerns Monarch Travel, not Monarch Airlines, though clearly the two are strongly connected.

Locker10a

Great airline, lovely staff and comfortable and reliable product(untill recently at least)
Will be sad if they go. They have no issues filling flights but they have debt and obviously aren't making a return despite their load factors being very high

testicles

This post has been deleted.

Jamie2k9

Speculation Wizz Air might have taken them. Wizz Air UK Ltd set up.

Dardania

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

Speculation Wizz Air might have taken them.  Wizz Air UK Ltd set up.

May be seen as their UK post Brexit operating company...clever move if so

Locker10a

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

Speculation Wizz Air might have taken them. Wizz Air UK Ltd set up.

Also, IAG sniffing around

jjbrien

Looks like its coming down to the wire tonight http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-41459453

Was in Manchester airport last month and they had adverts everywhere about being the best UK leisure airline. They have until midnight to get their licence not looking good.

LeChienMefiant

Did they get charged for all the standby aircraft from last time?

L1011

LeChienMefiant wrote: »

Did they get charged for all the standby aircraft from last time?

The CAA bore the costs; all operators were paid. It wouldn't/couldn't fall on Monarch to carry the can for the CAA jumping the gun as they did last year.

Its odd that we could easily lose 4 long running airlines in a short enough space of time; and not during a recession. Monarch, Air Berlin are both in extreme danger; Alitalia at risk and South African also running close to the edge

LeChienMefiant

L1011 wrote: »

The CAA bore the costs; all operators were paid.

Who pays the CAA?

L1011

LeChienMefiant wrote: »

Who pays the CAA?

UK taxpayer.

L1011

Mutliple QR craft enroute to the UK now for CAA cover. Apparently TS are also positioning.

If the CAA have jumped the gun again they'll be made a mockery of in the media; however if an airline imploded (with ATOL protection on a % of customers) and they hadn't they'd get worse coverage...

Jamie2k9

L1011 wrote: »

Mutliple QR craft enroute to the UK now for CAA cover. Apparently TS are also positioning.

If the CAA have jumped the gun again they'll be made a mockery of in the media; however if an airline imploded (with ATOL protection on a % of customers) and they hadn't they'd get worse coverage...

Awful shame if they do go under however they have had chance after chance and failed to address the problems.

Edit - Looks like their last LGW-IBZ has been grounded as has BHX-IBZ,

Shpudnik

All Monarch aircraft on the ground in the UK or on the way back. No outbound flights. Not looking good for them.

L1011

Shpudnik wrote: »

All Monarch aircraft on the ground in the UK or on the way back. No outbound flights. Not looking good for them.

Are there sched outbounds cancelled? Approaching midnight on a Sunday isn't a common outbound time for any airline in Europe tbh; but if there are sched flights cancelled it's a different story.

Jamie2k9

L1011 wrote: »

Are there sched outbounds cancelled? Approaching midnight on a Sunday isn't a common outbound time for any airline in Europe tbh; but if there are sched flights cancelled it's a different story.

Yes MON operate overnight flights to IBZ and PMI a lot. Reported LGW-UBZ was in the middle of boarding when it was pulled.

(22.50 ex LGW, 22.55 ex BHX)

marno21

2 Qatar A320s now airborne from STN, likely to fly the return flights from IBZ for the 2 cancelled outbounds.

Showing as BAW9200 and BAW9201 on FR24.

Graham

Monarch flights from IBZ to LGW and BHX showing BA flight numbers.

Locker10a

Easyjet have called crew off standby to operate Monarch rescue flights tomorrow morning.
Very sad to see a great airline go, thoughts are with their staff and families, I hope someone will take on their aircraft and crews.

Jack1985

And it's all over. Hope the crews at Monarch are picked up asap, some real hidden gems in that airline. The very deepest of sorrows to all of its employees.

Had a flight from Dublin to Faro on one of their then 757-200's in the early 2000's and remember it well. What a loss.

Noxegon

Game over. What a shame; I have good memories from flying with them too.

kevinandrew

A sad end for Britain's oldest airline brand. 

Terrible for all the hardworking staff there.

Greenman

I wonder will some of the pilots head for Ryanair?

vicwatson

"BREAKING Monarch Airlines ceases operations with immediate effect – 110,000 people stranded overseas"

L1011

As well as the leisure market this is going to leave Gibraltar severely underserved.

Unlikely to be many 737 rated crew for quick entry to FR, in answer to he question above

Captain_Crash

L1011 wrote: »

Unlikely to be many 737 rated crew for quick entry to FR, in answer to he question above

Considering FR's current crewing issues... might they consider bonding the type ratings for some of ZB's crews? highly unlikely, but its an option!

A very sad day for aviation, this isn't a small startup folding, Monarch are/were a large airline that's been in the business for 50 years.

Their was speculation on Twitter last night that Wizz Air will be picking up the fleet. Id imagine the 737's on order will be reallocated by Boeing, but its still a loss of a large order, and Boeing have their own PR issues at the minute

pc7

Greenman wrote: »

I wonder will some of the pilots head for Ryanair?

Came over here to ask the same, could be the life line he needs.

LeChienMefiant

On another day, would FR have been in a position to profit from this?

Wrex

A real shame, my childhood memories of going on the annual summer holiday was flying with them.

L1011

LeChienMefiant wrote: »

On another day, would FR have been in a position to profit from this?

They'd be offering capped price tickets on all routes they competed on, adding flights and boasting about rescuing people - as they did with Malev, Spanair etc. They're not even able to do it for Air Berlin as it winds down either

The MAX delivery slots will be very useful for whoever gets them, Boeing would have to buy them back off the liquidator I think as they should be able to sell them

kub

marno21 wrote:

2 Qatar A320s now airborne from STN, likely to fly the return flights from IBZ for the 2 cancelled outbounds.

marno21 wrote:

Showing as BAW9200 and BAW9201 on FR24.

Does this suggest that IAG have taken over?

Captain_Crash

kub wrote: »

Does this suggest that IAG have taken over?

No, just that BA are operating some rescue flights. I actually think that as a UK carrier they have an obligation to assist in matters such as this. U2 are also flying rescue flights.

QR are there only because they have A320's in the area due to the BA leases in the summer season.

California Dreamer

Hopefully there'll be jobs for Airbus drivers in Wizz, Wow, Easy, and Aer Lingus!!

Will the respective business people be on to leasing companies looking for some mates rates to take 35 Airbus aircraft off their hands?

Captain_Crash

California Dreamer wrote: »

Will the respective business people be on to leasing companies looking for some mates rates to take 35 Airbus aircraft off their hands?

Leasing companies wont have an issue getting them leased out, they wont need to charge mates rates. In fact the quick nature of their availability might bring a premium... These aren't old airbus aircraft!

Rawr

Sad news indeed. I once traveled with them on a charter on my first ever trip on an A300 (and likely my only ever trip on the type).



I have fond memories of old G-MONS there and of the Monarch flight crews who took care of us. I really hope they won't have long to wait to find new jobs.

Doltanian

Moving from charter flights into the ultra competitive low-cost scheduled model was the downfall of this airline. I always assumed they were a charter airline like the old Futura up until now.

A Dub in Glasgo

Sad to see, we used Monarch last year for our family holiday to Lanzarote from Manchester (they had wet leased an A320 (pic I took at Arrecife Airport below))

Jamie2k9

Doltanian wrote: »

Moving from charter flights into the ultra competitive low-cost scheduled model was the downfall of this airline. I always assumed they were a charter airline like the old Futura up until now.

It might be partly the problem however charter services are not particularly big money spinners anymore. Personalty I think Jet 2 over the last few years have ratcheted up the pressure and ZB were unable to respond particularly well. This was I think the third time the licence went down to the wire.

After 49 years it's a big loss, I don't think staff will have any major issues finding new employment. I am sure a lot will head to easyjet among others.

CroFag

Such sad news I booked a flight with them recently. It is below the cost of 100£ that credit card companies usually cover. Is there any chance I might get my money back?

A Dub in Glasgo

CroFag wrote: »

Such sad news I booked a flight with them recently. It is below the cost of 100£ that credit card companies usually cover. Is there any chance I might get my money back?

Your credit card company sometimes cover items less than the £100 threshold, contact them

Dardania

no particular help, but monarch.caa.co.uk has info on how this is being handled - I don't fully understand what it meant by them not having an ATOL since last winter

Shpudnik

Just looking at the latest issue of Airliner World and noticed it has a piece on Monarch Aircraft Engineering. Will they be affected too?

L1011

Shpudnik wrote: »

Just looking at the latest issue of Airliner World and noticed it has a piece on Monarch Aircraft Engineering. Will they be affected too?

They are currently not impacted.

irishrover99

I'm waiting for a statement from Michael O'Leary saying they have planes on standby if needed with seats going for only 1.99.

Graham

irishrover99 wrote: »

I'm waiting for a statement from Michael O'Leary saying they have planes on standby if needed with seats going for only 1.99.

They have plenty of planes/seats, just nobody to take them anywhere :pac:

irishrover99

Graham wrote: »

They have plenty of planes/seats, just nobody to take them anywhere :pac:

Exactly, but i can see lots of these Monarch pilots in new jobs within a few weeks.
This is probably a god send for O'Leary in that he'll get his new pilots from Monarch.

cml387

Listening to Radio 4 this morning at seven o'clock the first item of news was the Monarch closure and the "stranded" passengers to be repatriated. The word "stranded" was used a few times in the report.

Then we had an girl "stranded" in Palma who Did Not Know What She Was Going To Do.

Finally we had the chairperson of the CAA who was not only able to confirm that there were contingency plan in place to return passengers , she could even confirm that the Palma flight would leave at the same time as the cancelled Monarch and took vigorous expection to the "stranded", pointing out that no one was stranded. The word was dropped form further bulletins.

Which demonstrates how the media love to whip up fear and anxiety, and you would have thought better of BBC Radio's flagship current affairs programme.