A UK-based airline has axed hundreds of jobs after cancelling all flights and filing for administration.
Eastern Airways let go off around 250 staff, including all cabin crew, this week.
Staff were told they were being let go on Monday according to an insider – who claimed employees are not being paid, The Sun reported.
It comes after it was announced the airline was on the brink of administration earlier this week – potentially impacting more than a million passengers.
Eastern Airways, which flies to destinations in England and Scotland, filed a notice of intention to appoint an administrator.
This meant the company had 10 days to fix its problems before it officially goes bust.
Eastern Airways launched in 1997 and serves approximately 1.3 million passengers each year.
On October 27, the directors of Eastern Airways were forced to file a notice of intention to appoint Joint Administrators.
Eastern Airways let go off around 250 staff, including all cabin crew, this week
The airline said: ‘Unfortunately, this means that the airline is no longer able to operate flights or accept new bookings.
‘All scheduled flights to, from, and within the UK operated by Eastern Airways Limited have been cancelled.’
It went on to say: ‘If you are due to travel with Eastern Airways today or in the coming months, we kindly advise you to not travel to the airport unless you have already arranged alternative travel with another airline.
‘If you have not yet secured alternative travel, we encourage you to do so as soon as possible.’
Eastern Airways explained that in terms of costs you may have incurred for any bookings, they would recommend you contact your payment provider for potential refunds.
It added: ‘Finally, we do convey our apologies as an operator since 1997 that we have been forced to take such a decision, detrimental to the UK aviation sector and UK regional airport connectivity.’
Selina Chadha, consumer and markets director at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said: ‘We urge passengers planning to fly with this airline not to go to the airport as all Eastern Airways flights are cancelled.
‘Eastern Airways customers should visit the Civil Aviation Authority’s website for the latest information.’
All scheduled flights, to, from, and within the UK, operated by Eastern Airways Limited have been cancelled (stock)
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Aberdeen International Airport said: ‘It is with regret to have been notified that Eastern Airways has suspended operations, meaning all flights it operated to and from Aberdeen have been cancelled.
‘We would advise any passengers that have booked to travel with the airline not to travel to the airport and to visit the Civil Aviation Authority’s website for the latest information.’
Eastern Airways is the top provider of charter flights for sports teams in Europe.
This includes Premier League and Championship football teams, Rugby Union teams and Super League teams.
