Would-be passengers have been warned not to turn up for Primera Air flights after the discount airline released a farewell statement on their website.
The statement said: “On behalf of Primera Air team, we would like to thank you for your loyalty. On this sad day we are saying Goodbye to all of you.”
The airline, which had a fleet of nine aircraft and flew to destinations across Europe and the East Coast, said it would be ceasing operations today.
Routes include flights out of Stansted Airport to Washington, Newark, Boston and Toronto, as well as a base out of Birmingham airport, meaning thousands of Brits could be affected.
Stansted Airport warned Primera Air passengers not to travel to the airport on Monday.
The airport said in a statement: "We have learned this afternoon that Primera Air has ceased all flight operations and will go into administration at midnight tonight.
"Passengers due to travel with Primera Air are advised not to travel to the airport and instead contact the airline directly.
"We understand this is a difficult time for customers whose travel plans have been disrupted and we are providing information and assistance to those who have already travelled to the airport for flights that had been due to depart today."
Many angry customers took to Twitter to express their frustration to the airline’s announcement.
One user wrote: “What a surprise- feel very sorry for all the passengers you’ve ripped off and left out of pocket.”
Another wrote: “What about an apology to all the ‘loyal customers’ you owe money to for your incompetence? We are now all out of pocket because you can’t run a company. No one will be sorry to see you go!”
Other Twitter users were quick to question the status of their refunds.
With one user bluntly tweeting: “I am still waiting compensation for a delayed flight from 4 months ago! I have sent over 30 emails, and the claim team acknowledged them once. Am I not going to receive this money?"
Another customer wrote in agreement: “Sarah I am in exactly the same boat! Ours is owed from June too, and it’s ALOT of money! I email every week and I just get ignored.
“When I filed the claim I got an email almost instantly asking how I would like the compensation and then never a response after that.”
One person wrote: "So does this mean we’re not getting the compensation you’ve owed us since June!"
Primera Air, which was founded in 2009, has served 97 destinations in more than 20 countries.
The airline, based in Riga, Latvia, announced last month that it planned to launch routes from Madrid to New York, Boston and
Toronto next year at an introductory price of £132 each way.
It also announced in September plans for direct long-haul flights from Frankfurt to New York, Boston, Toronto and Montreal from next year.
This came after the airline temporarily suspended flights from Birmingham to New York and Toronto from June 21 until 2019, blaming it on late delivery of its long-haul A321neo aircraft from Airbus.
Britain’s Monarch Airlines collapsed exactly a year ago, after falling victim to intense competition for flights and a weaker pound.
Air Berlin, Germany’s second-largest airline, filed for bankruptcy protection in August 2017.
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