Airline collapse leaves 60,000 looking for transatlantic flights

Some 60,000 passengers will be on the lookout for new transatlantic flights following the collapse of low-cost carrier Zoom Airlines.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) revealed that, as well as causing a problem for 60,000 people who had forward bookings with Zoom, the airline's liquidation has left some 4,500 passengers stranded abroad.

This is due to the fact that bookings made directly with airlines such as Zoom are not covered by the CAA's Air Travel Organisers' Licensing scheme, meaning customers will have to make their own arrangements if their airline goes bust while they are overseas.

Zoom flew to New York, Fort Lauderdale, San Diego and destinations in Canada from gateways including Gatwick Airport and Manchester Airport. It blamed its collapse on tough economic conditions and the ever-rising cost of fuel.

Belfast International Airport responded to the news by releasing a list of alternative transatlantic flights available from its base.

Flights to New York are available from Belfast International Airport with Continental Airlines, while Aer Lingus flies from Belfast to Heathrow Airport, where passengers can catch connecting flights to Toronto or Vancouver with carriers including British Airways and Air Canada.

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