Zoom Airlines has ceased operations

[fredr123]

http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/...b-651a99921070

The Zoom executives blamed the company's woes on the "unprecedented rise in the price of aviation fuel" and the "general economic downtown that has made it impossible for operations to continue."

These two factors resulted in a $50-million increase in operating costs, the statement said.

The airline has also sought protection from its creditors and has begun insolvency proceedings.
Zoom Airlines has both a Canadian and British arm. Both companies are affected.
The airline employs 450 staff in Canada and 260 in the U.K.



http://calsun.canoe.ca/News/2008/08/28/6599451.html

Even before the company issued its official announcement, passengers knew there were problems because their flights were cancelled. But it took several hours before Zoom confirmed it had suspended operations due to money problems.

Zoom’s founders apologized for the inconvenience caused by the airline’s demise after it failed to pay bills to government, airport, supplier and aircraft creditors.

In Halifax, 213 people were stranded after baggage handlers apparently refused to load Zoom’s aircraft because their company hasn’t been paid.

A flight was grounded by court order in Calgary and another one was being delayed in Glasgow, Scotland.


Zoom Air official announcement: http://www.flyzoom.com/

[Scrambler]

I'm afraid we'll be seeing a lot of this over the next 5 years or so. Make sure you purchase travel insurance when booking travel arrangements folks!

[ken0042]

If you paid with a credit card, wouldn't you be entitled to your money back? I think the only catch would be that you have to wait until the scheduled flight passes to prove they didn't provide the service you paid for. (I seem to recall seeing that on the news when Canada 3000 went under.)

[Locke]

Wow, I took Zoom to Europe and back last month. Thats insane that they just closed up shop and stranded people.

[Gozer]

You might say they un-Zoomed.

[Robbob]

I remember a week before I went to Hawaii Canada 3000 went out of business. Since we paid with a credit card the only money we didn't get back was some fee from Coop travel (I think around $100).

[Thor]

Day's like this I'm very happy not to be a travel agent

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Scrambler

I'm afraid we'll be seeing a lot of this over the next 5 years or so. Make sure you purchase travel insurance when booking travel arrangements folks!

Better yet, don't book travel using discount airlines.

[T@T]

Originally Posted by Dion

Better yet, don't book travel using discount airlines.

Like Westjet perhaps?

[flip]

Originally Posted by T@T

Like Westjet perhaps?

I'd be shocked if WestJet went under.

Aren't they one of the best run companies in the country? Although I wouldn't be surprised if they slowed their expansion.

[4X4]

Strange coincidence. Just last night I was researching flights to the UK for early spring. Of course I was looking at Zoom because they're the cheapest and I've used them twice to get there.
First thing in the morning, I hear this on the radio.
In a way I'm glad. Zoom sucks (sucked) balls. They're just so irresistably cheap.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Dion

Better yet, don't book travel using discount airlines.

Originally Posted by T@T

Like Westjet perhaps?

Originally Posted by flip

I'd be shocked if WestJet went under.

Aren't they one of the best run companies in the country? Although I wouldn't be surprised if they slowed their expansion.

I think thats ridiculous. Dont use discount airlines? Some people cant afford to pay what mainstream airlines charge.

By that logic, why ever fly coach? Everyone should just fly first class.

Ever fly Ryanair? They've been around for a while and seem to be doing fine.

Originally Posted by 4X4

Strange coincidence. Just last night I was researching flights to the UK for early spring. Of course I was looking at Zoom because they're the cheapest and I've used them twice to get there.
First thing in the morning, I hear this on the radio.
In a way I'm glad. Zoom sucks (sucked) balls. They're just so irresistably cheap.

I had no problems with Zoom. My flight, both ways was fantastic.

[WesternCanadaKing]

Goddammit! I was gonna use them to fly to France in November.

Thank god I hadn't booked the ticket yet though.

Guess I'll just have to pay up the a** with Air Canada or something.

[4X4]

Originally Posted by WesternCanadaKing

Goddammit! I was gonna use them to fly to France in November.

Thank god I hadn't booked the ticket yet though.

Guess I'll just have to pay up the a** with Air Canada or something.

Eh... I just went back the flyzoom website and they've posted an apology and links to other airlines. Turns out that Canadian Affair is even cheaper than Zoom. My wallet will love it, but something tells me that my knees and back are going to hate it.

Friggin Air Canada and British Airways are expensive! More than double Canadian Affair or what Zoom had posted yesterday.

I'd be leery of buying any discount tickets right now though. If you do, be sure to use a credit card with insurance.

[Bagor]

Originally Posted by Locke

Ever fly Ryanair? They've been around for a while and seem to be doing fine.

Are they ever. Used them loads and will continue to do so. I could care less that I don't get a complimentary drink when their flights are costing me $100 return.



A good no holding back interview with the boss on BBC's hardtalk.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programme...lk/7558118.stm

[4X4]

Originally Posted by Locke

I had no problems with Zoom. My flight, both ways was fantastic.

I used Zoom to get to Glasgow and back and then to London and back. Two of the four trips involved 24 hour+ delays. Thankfully, one of them originated in Calgary, so I had somewhere to stay. The other time, I was stranded in Glasgow for a day and a half. Every 6 hours they handed out 5 pound food vouchers to be used in the airport. You can't even buy a f'n sandwich for 5 pounds in an airport.

The worst part about that ordeal was that the staff had no idea what was going on and the passengers were starting to get really cranky with the staff for not giving more info. It was hard on everyone involved.

I'm pretty sure I vowed never to use Zoom again. I had a moment of weakness last night. Looks like the gods have intervened to help me keep my vow.

[csnarpy]

ugh, i always drive to Spokane and fly from there. Cheaper flights and less taxes. Even with the drive.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Locke

I think thats ridiculous. Dont use discount airlines? Some people cant afford to pay what mainstream airlines charge.

By that logic, why ever fly coach? Everyone should just fly first class.

Ever fly Ryanair? They've been around for a while and seem to be doing fine.

My bad. What i should have posted is buyer beware. With all uncertainty around discount airlines one should take extra precautions.

For every Ryanair there's a Zoom or other discount airline that has gone under. To me that's the risk of flying via the discount - one i try to avoid at all costs. Imagine being in Europe somehwere and Zoom has closed down and you are stranded.

As for main stream airline charges i always fly via seat sales. There's always good deals around if one looks hard enough.

[Thor]

Europe has some really successful discount airlines, but that market is also way different.

Firstly Europeans travel way more per capita, they get way more holidays than we do, and you have all these amazing destinations less than 3-6hrs of flight time at your disposal.

Not to mention they have to compete with an excellent train service Europe wide.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by flip

I'd be shocked if WestJet went under.

Aren't they one of the best run companies in the country? Although I wouldn't be surprised if they slowed their expansion.

I think the point was WestJet used to be just a little company; barely a spec in the eyes of the big two airlines; Air Canada and Canadian. Because people supported the small airline, it became one of the most successful in Canada.

But I agree, buyer beware when choosing a discount airline. However I don't know of any level of caution that could have helped people suddenly stranded today.