Airline goes into administration
Duo offered flights from Edinburgh and Birmingham
A Birmingham-based airline has gone into administration, putting more than 300 jobs at risk.
Duo Airways Limited, which offered flights from Birmingham International Airport and Edinburgh Airport, only started operating in June.
The company suspended all operations at 0001 BST on Saturday.
Duo, which flew seven aircraft to northern Europe and Scandinavia, has blamed the collapse of its business on a failure to secure extra investment.
No protection
People due to return to the UK with the airline, or who were scheduled to fly from Birmingham or Edinburgh, have been forced to make alternative arrangements.
Duo said its customers were “unlikely” to be protected by Atol (Air Travel Organisers’ Licensing), the scheme set up to protect the public from losing money or being stranded abroad when travel firms go bust.
The administrators Deloitte and Touche said the airline’s revenues had not been as high as anticipated, even though bookings had been growing.
In a statement, Deloitte said extra investment was found for Duo but that “poor trading” in March 2004 meant even more cash was needed to keep the firm afloat.
Bill Dawson, a partner at the administrators, said: “There was a real prospect that Duo could find these funds to support its growing booking levels but, although the board worked hard to achieve this, the additional investments did not come through in time.
“We will be working hard with the management and authorities to help to communicate the situation to customers and employees.”
The company, whose headquarters are in Coventry Road, Birmingham, was formed in June 2003 following a management buyout of the former Maersk Air Limited.
Customers requiring information should call the helpline number 0121 743 9090 for assistance.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/3676381.stm
Sign In
