Astraeus Gone

[Garry Russell]

Ceased Operations

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-15826951

[Tomliner]

Were they the owner of the B757(G-STRW) operating charters from EGPH this year Garry? Doosn't look too good for the travel trade does it? Thos Cook seem to be in some trouble.Hopefully not more job losses. EricT

[Garry Russell]

HI Eric

That was one of theirs, leased to BMi with another recently.

All the leased out aircraft are grounded too.

[TobyV]

BMI have been sold because Lufthansa can't turn them around, Astraeus has a rather niche business model and Thomas Coook, well who actually goes on a package holiday any more? I think most [certainly young] people probably book their Ryanair/Easyjet flight and accommodation separately these days (you can get some good deals on hotels through various websites after all). The world is not such a big scary place where you need a tour rep to guide you through it anymore!

Also, whilst everyone talks about air travel increasing and increasing, it was interesting to see that passenger numbers have fallen or at best stayed constant at London Gatwick over the last 10 years or so, and I am not convinced its because the airport hasn't been granted an additional runway. I have a feeling that air travel might not grow in the future as much as it has done. That said we've been through times before (early 90s) when plenty of carriers went bust and things came back ultimately. What was it Willie Walsh said 3 years ago? He expected I think 30 airlines to go under. Not sure how many we're up to now but I think we started counting at XL.com!

[Garry Russell]

The BMi sale is not final..it still has to be approved under monopolies

FlyBe seems a bit odd too, they keep delaying the new Embraers sitting idle in Brazil with the last date given as October 2011which has passed without comment.

They've sold new Dash Eights after using them for a week or so and sold some older aircraft

Their share price was down 80 per cent a few weeks ago.

After talks with banks to increase it's borrowing, Thomas Cook shares have plunged 75 percent

[jonesey2k]

I bet Bruce Dickinson isn't going to be happy.

[Garry Russell]

TBH...I don't care much as he has other income and will not be short of a job.

They mention him as if he's important

It's the other staff out on their ears especially this time of year I feel sorry for

[VEGAS]

Good point Garry.

A few years ago my wife passed all the criteria for Cabin Crew for this airline.

After careful consideration and a review of the package, she decided not to accept the job offer.

I'm glad she knocked them back now.

[Hot_Charlie]

Another carrier that relied fairly heavily on MoD charters has gone then. In the past 4 years that makes Excel, FlyGlobspan and Astraeus. One suspects the trouble around the med (Egypt) is what's done for this particular airline.

[Garry Russell]

One of the Astraues aircraft is parked at Brize