All eyes are now on Monarch airlines as CAA consider licence extension

[PhotoLady]

You may recall the talk of Monarch going under the other year - but they were given an extension at the last moment....
Well, it's happening again and a number of the low budget airlines have their beady eye on the short haul routes currently operated by Monarch - we're talking EasyJet and WizzAir and possibly Norwegian airlines (those who have nicked Ryanair's pilots).

The future of Monarch, Britain's fifth-biggest airline, is hanging by a thread this weekend as it holds emergency talks with regulators about a temporary extension to its tour operator's licence.

Sky News has learnt that the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is weighing whether to hand Monarch a temporary extension to its Air Travel Organiser's Licence (ATOL) for the third time in four years.

Sources said that without such an extension, Monarch's travel subsidiary was likely to be placed into administration within days - leaving 100,000 of its customers facing uncertainty about their journey back to the UK.

http://news.sky.com/story/monarch-prays ... n-11060556

[trevnhil]

We have used Wizzair just the once. I promise to try not to do it again..

[Varky]

We have used Wizzair just the once. I promise to try not to do it again..

I have used Wizzair 6 times in the past couple of years and no problem. Granted they were on 2 hour flights. No worse than EasyJet, Ryanair etc. If you subscribe to their frequent flier programme you can get hold luggage of 32kg and an oversized cabin baggage. at knock down rates.

[PaphosAL]

I always thought that Wizzair was a Polish budget airline, but apparently not. It's Hungarian, probably reformed by the demise of Malev, similar to what happened to Cyprus Airways...

Know lots of peeps that have flown on Wizz, and never heard a single complaint from them!

AL

[Biddy]

I'm booked on a Monarch flight to Cyprus tomorrow or I hope I am!!!

[J B]

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-41454447

<<Flight-only bookings would not be affected as they do not fall under the licence.>>

[PhotoLady]

That's not sounding too good.... But just because they have a plan in place, it doesn't mean it will actually happen.
At least, there is a plan..... Better than no plan at all

[JimX]

Sky News said this morning that they are now in liquidation as from today. Sad news for all their staff.

Sorry for any person this may affect, personally, I have not flown off this island since we arrived.

[trevnhil]

As Jim says, Monarch Airlines have ceased trading..

" Advice to Monarch customers, issued by CAA
Customers in the UK yet to travel: don't go to the airport.
Customers abroad: everyone due to fly in the next fortnight will be brought back to the UK at no cost to them. There is no need to cut short your stay
All affected customers should check monarch.caa.co.uk for more information
The CAA also has a 24-hour helpline: 0300 303 2800 from the UK and Ireland and +44 1753 330330 from overseas "

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-41464934

Sad News, and very worrying for those affected..

[trevnhil]

There is more information for those affected here..

https://monarch.caa.co.uk/customers/i-h ... elled-yet/

[exodus]

Does anyone know how many Monarch customers are stranded in Cyprus?
Amos.

[jen]

Useful information in this article if you know anyone who is out in Cyprus on holiday at the minute.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-41464934

[exodus]

Useful information in this article if you know anyone who is out in Cyprus on holiday at the minute.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-41464934

Thanks jen, useful link.
Unfortunately it does not indicate how many are stuck here in Cyprus, or in the other 39 destinations Europe/Worldwide.
The reason I ask is that if some get stuck here for a few days longer than the original Hotel booking, until they get on a repatriation flight, maybe some forum members could help them out?
Amos.

[Dominic]

I have created a sticky at the top of the forum with a summary of the Monarch information.

Here it is

Please add to it if you have further information that people will find useful. For general discussions on the topic please keep them here.

[Dominic]

Useful information in this article if you know anyone who is out in Cyprus on holiday at the minute.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-41464934

Thanks jen, useful link.
Unfortunately it does not indicate how many are stuck here in Cyprus, or in the other 39 destinations Europe/Worldwide.
The reason I ask is that if some get stuck here for a few days longer than the original Hotel booking, until they get on a repatriation flight, maybe some forum members could help them out?
Amos.

The following would indicate a delay of hours, rather than days, thankfully:

_______________________

If you go to the Hermes Website, you get a popup saying the following:

Due to the unfortunate cease of operation of flights by Monarch Airlines, a number of flights to/from Larnaka and Pafos Airport will be affected in the near future.
All affected customers should check the website here for more detailed information.

Affected Flights for 2 October 2017
ZB857 from Larnaka Airport to Luton Airport will be operated by Titan Airways as flight ZT857 on 2 October 2017 at 22:00
ZB1165 from Larnaka Airport to Birmingham Airport will be operated by British Airways as flight BA8633 on 3 October 2017 at 00:55

*flight updates will be announced once received
*no flights were scheduled to/from Pafos Airport for 2 October 2017

[PhotoLady]

In effect, nobody is "stuck" in Cyprus as I understand it as they will all be flown home on their original flight date or as close to the time/date as possible up until 15 October.

It's the people who are in UK waiting to take their holidays are the ones who have ended up badly in all the turmoil. Many are having to book new flights with other operators and paying over the odds for them in order not to have their travel plans spoiled. The refunds may not come back until the end of the year.... Unfortunate that it's happened just 3 weeks before the school half-term holidays too!

[Biddy]

We were waiting for the taxi to the airport when my phone pinged with the message from Monarch advising all flights cancelled. Would personally love to have a word or two with the CEO of Monarch as I'm sure a lot of people would including the employees now without jobs

[William Morris]

We were waiting for the taxi to the airport when my phone pinged with the message from Monarch advising all flights cancelled. Would personally love to have a word or two with the CEO of Monarch as I'm sure a lot of people would including the employees now without jobs

I am sure they did their best to avoid this.

They are in a very competitive market and they lost out on lucrative routes due to issues beyond their control.

Try not to take it personal.

[PhotoLady]

A handy link here for anyone in Cyprus waiting to travel back to UK:

Paphos: https://monarch.caa.co.uk/customers/i-a ... aphos-pfo/

Larnaca: https://monarch.caa.co.uk/customers/i-a ... rnaca-lca/

[Mrblobby]

Two flights are due to depart from Larnaca airport on Monday evening. One of them, to Luton, is scheduled at 10pm, and, according to an announcement on the web, will be flying as planned, operated by Titan Airways.

The other one, to Birmingham, will be three hours late. The departure time has been changed from 9.45pm to 0.55am. This flight is now operated by British Airways.

Passengers facing uncertainty were not all unhappy with the situation.

“Well we flew to Cyprus with Monarch,” Jackie Fielding posted on Facebook. “Government have said they will get us back around the same time we are due to come home but may be to a different airport and may be some time changes may even have to stay an extra night. No point worrying about it though were just going to enjoy the rest of the time we have here.”

“Whohooo stuck in cyprus with monarch lol running out of undies damn more sunshine!!” commented another traveller Paula Thomas.

http://cyprus-mail.com/2017/10/02/arran ... rs-cyprus/

.