Norwich holiday makers affected by flight suspensions
2008-10-20
Majorca-based airline LTE International Airways has suspended flights, making it the next likely carrier to collapse, in a 12 month period which has seen 25 airlines go bust.
On its website, a spokesman for the troubled carrier said it "was just not possible to avoid this situation, given world events lately."
LTE only started weekly services in July 2008 from Norwich to Alicante, Barcelona and Palma. It ran seven 180-passenger Airbus A320s from its Palma, Canary Islands and Milan bases.Passengers on the Norwich services were left stranded at the weekend, but tour operator Cosmos which used LTE's services arranged an alternative flight to bring 300 tourists back from Tenerife.
A Norwich airport spokesman expressed deep disappointment at the news, but added that LTE has suggested its flight suspensions are only a temporary measure as the company is not in liquidation or bankruptcy.
And if holiday makers have booked an ATOL-protected package with tour operator Sunways Holidays, the tour operator is responsible for repatriation, or refunds for customers yet to travel, a statement from the airport said.
Customers with future bookings should contact their travel agency, or the airline directly, which has pledged to refund those affected by the service suspension.
