Spanish airline abruptly shuts down, stranding 22,000
Spanish carrier Spanair abruptly ended operations Friday night, stranding more than 20,000 passengers who had been booked on the financially struggling carrier.
The BBC notes "the airline was seen as a flagship of the regional government of Catalonia, which had helped it stay afloat with more than 150 million euros (about $198 million) of subsidies."
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The New York Times says "Spanair"s collapse is ... politically charged because the Barcelona-based airline was a flagship venture for the northeastern region of Catalonia, which has been seeking greater independence from Madrid." Spanair"s main base was at Barcelona, the region"s biggest city.
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But with the economy struggling both locally and through Europe, the government "decided months ago that it couldn"t keep supporting (Spanair) at a time when the regional government itself is facing financial difficulties," The Wall Street Journal writes.
Reuters says "a potential rescue plan for Spanair fell apart" on Friday "when Qatar Airways pulled out of talks to buy a stake in the airline, according to the Catalan regional government."
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With that, the Catalan government said in a statement that it had become "impossible for the Catalan government to provide new capital, that is what we have communicated to the company (Spanair).
As for the fallout for passengers, The Associated Press writes "an estimated 22,000 passengers who had booked seats on more than 220 canceled flights have been left looking for alternative arrangements and instructions on how to seek reimbursements."
The Spanish government responded to Spanair"s shutdown by initiating legal action against the company.
Spanish Public Works Minister Ana Pastor says government is considering fining Spanair up to $12 million "for allegedly violating the country"s aviation regulations by suddenly ceasing operations," The Associated Press writes.
It was unclear how the government might enforce such a fine against an airline that suspended operations because of financial woes.
The Journal writes that in the first day of Spanair"s shutdown, "many affected passengers complained on local television stations that Spanair was struggling to provide flight alternatives or even return the luggage from passengers who checked in shortly before all flights were canceled."
Spanair says on its website that it is "in contact with other airlines (especially Vueling, Iberia & Air Europa) to find alternative solutions, providing special