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Passengers stranded as Zoom folds Passengers stranded as Zoom folds
(about 6 hours later)
About 100 passengers expecting to fly to Canada have been stranded at Belfast International Airport after their airline folded.About 100 passengers expecting to fly to Canada have been stranded at Belfast International Airport after their airline folded.
UK-Canadian company Zoom has cancelled all flights, blaming the cost of aviation fuel.UK-Canadian company Zoom has cancelled all flights, blaming the cost of aviation fuel.
Flight Z4467 was to fly from Cardiff to Belfast International Airport and then travel to Vancouver.Flight Z4467 was to fly from Cardiff to Belfast International Airport and then travel to Vancouver.
However, it was grounded when the airline said it was suspending all operations.However, it was grounded when the airline said it was suspending all operations.
Several passengers retrieved their luggage and, before leaving the airport, told the BBC they were in shock and did not know what to do or how they would get home to Canada.Several passengers retrieved their luggage and, before leaving the airport, told the BBC they were in shock and did not know what to do or how they would get home to Canada.
All passengers due to fly with the airline have been advised by Zoom to seek bookings with alternative airlines.All passengers due to fly with the airline have been advised by Zoom to seek bookings with alternative airlines.
Danielle Conlon from Belfast was due to fly home from Calgary in Canada on Saturday. She said she was getting desperate.
"I'm stuck here. I don't have a lot of money at the minute because I've been here for two months, I've spent my holiday money, I kept a few hundred pounds as an emergency back up but I didn't think something as serious as this would happen to me.
"I tried to phone Calgary airport today but all the phone lines are busy, I tried to ring Zoom's phonelines but their offices are closed, it's a long weekend here in Calgary for Labour day so all the hotels are getting booked out as well."
UK-Canadian Zoom blamed its problems on the "horrendous" price of aviation fuel - which had added $50m to annual fuel bills - and the economic slowdown.UK-Canadian Zoom blamed its problems on the "horrendous" price of aviation fuel - which had added $50m to annual fuel bills - and the economic slowdown.
Zoom employs 450 staff in Canada and 260 staff in the UK.Zoom employs 450 staff in Canada and 260 staff in the UK.
'Deeply regret''Deeply regret'
It operated flights from Belfast, London Gatwick, Glasgow, Manchester, Cardiff , Paris and Rome.It operated flights from Belfast, London Gatwick, Glasgow, Manchester, Cardiff , Paris and Rome.
It flew to eight destinations in Canada, New York, San Diego, Fort Lauderdale and Bermuda.It flew to eight destinations in Canada, New York, San Diego, Fort Lauderdale and Bermuda.
Zoom founders, Scottish brothers Hugh and John Boyle, said in a statement:Zoom founders, Scottish brothers Hugh and John Boyle, said in a statement:
"We deeply regret the fact that we have been forced to suspend all Zoom operations. It is a tragic day for our passengers and staff."We deeply regret the fact that we have been forced to suspend all Zoom operations. It is a tragic day for our passengers and staff.
"We are desperately sorry for the inconvenience and disappointment that this will cause passengers and those who have booked flights."We are desperately sorry for the inconvenience and disappointment that this will cause passengers and those who have booked flights.
"We have done everything we can to support the airline and left no stone unturned to secure a re-financing package that would have kept our aircraft flying.""We have done everything we can to support the airline and left no stone unturned to secure a re-financing package that would have kept our aircraft flying."
The announcement came after one of its planes was detained at Glasgow Airport on Thursday for non-payment of air traffic control charges.The announcement came after one of its planes was detained at Glasgow Airport on Thursday for non-payment of air traffic control charges.
Meanwhile, passengers on a flight from Cardiff were told to get off their Zoom plane, which was then impounded.Meanwhile, passengers on a flight from Cardiff were told to get off their Zoom plane, which was then impounded.