Who's ZOOMIN' Who?

The "City of Vancouver's" final indignity…to be stuck in the City of Toronto, actually Mississauga, because of sudden airline insolvency! Pictured here confined to the YYZ FEDEX apron.

Sad…Zoom has left the skies forever…

On 29 August 2008 the Italian flagship airline, ALITALIA filed for bankruptcy protection a day after Zoom made its business departure announcement, for similar economic viability reasons.

ALITALIA is still flying and will likely recover; Zoom won't.

From ZOOM Airlines

"Zoom Airlines sincerely regrets to advise its customers that it has suspended operations with effect from 19:00 hrs on Thursday 28 August 2008. Both Zoom Airlines Inc and Zoom Airlines Ltd, the Canadian and UK airlines, have started administration proceedings in their home countries.

Hugh and John Boyle, the founders of Zoom, said tonight: "We deeply regret the fact that we have been forced to suspend all Zoom operations. It is a tragic day for our passengers and more than 600 staff."

"We are desperately sorry for the inconvenience and disappointment that this will cause passengers and those who have booked flights."

"The suspension of operations is a result of the exceptionally difficult trading conditions which have affected all airlines over the last 12 months. We have worked hard over the last seven years to build up a successful business but have incurred losses in the current year due to the unprecedented increase in the price of aviation fuel and the economic climate. The increase in the price of oil has added around $50 million to our annual operating costs and we could not recover that from passengers who had already booked their flights."

Out Of Pocket?

If your travel arrangements have been made as part of a holiday package originating in the Canada and booked through a holiday company, you may be able to make a claim under the TICO’s Compensation Fund. Please contact TICO at 1-888-451-8426 or (905) 624-6241 or email tico@tico.ca should you have any questions or require further clarification. For information on this, please consult www.tico.on.ca/

If your travel arrangements have been made as part of a holiday package originating in the UK and booked through a holiday company, you may be able to make a claim under the CAA's Air Travel Organiser's Licence scheme. For information on this, please consult the CAA ATOL website at www.atol.org.uk.

Both British Airways and Virgin Atlantic have indicated that they will be offering special fares to customers whose travel plans have been affected by Zoom's suspension of flights. Please visit www.ba.com or www.virgin-atlantic.com for full details.

Things Sure Looked Good

SEE: www.wrightdesign.co.uk/portfolio_zoom.html