Air Madrid Grounded

Rescue under way as no-frills airline grounded
By Mark Mulligan in Madrid

Published: December 19 2006 02:00 | Last updated: December 19 2006 02:00

The Spanish government yesterday chartered two aircraft to fly hundreds of Latin Americans home for Christmas after the grounding at the weekend of Air Madrid, a low-cost long-haul -airline.

The flights, to Ecuador and Argentina, were part of an emergency plan the government announced after cancelling the airline's licence on Saturday. At least 3,000 passengers were expected to benefit.

The development ministry said it would seek to recover an initial €6.5m ($8.5m, £4.4m) in costs from the company, and advised an estimated 120,000 passengers with unused return tickets to take similar action.

The airline, which suspended operations hours before its licence was revoked, has urged customers to seek redress from the Spanish government, which it described as "the only responsible party".

Air Madrid, which in 2004 began no-frills flights between Madrid and South American cities, had become a byword for airport chaos well before it was grounded for maintenance violations.

Police and airport security officers were constantly called to settle often violent disputes between staff and passengers enraged by over-booking, cancelled flights and unexplained delays of up to three days. Its workers, however, are keen to relaunch the company.

By Ctg Bound on Dec 19, 2006, 12:25 in Friendly Talkzone.

esanch36 says on Dec 19, 2006, 12:32:

Ahhhhh the beauty of todays airline companies esanch36

All right, I'll ask: How come it took three seconds to euthanize Eight Belles, but the Womens NBA is starting Year 12???

Alma del Norte says on Dec 27, 2006, 09:07:

Oops! I am due to return to Bogota with Air Madrid on the 2nd January. I have heard the news of suspension, but have not been contacted by the company themselves. Does anyone know the state of play? If I fly to Madrid, am I likely to be greeted by a shrug of the shoulders? Should I just book another flight, or see how it goes? I am finding it difficult getting any information via the internet. Thanks

La vida es una rutina