Barcelona-based airline fails

Spanair, the independent Spanish airline, has ceased flying and gone into administration after a rescue package had fallen through.  Originally set up in 1986 and a member of Star Alliance the carrier was at one time a full subsidiary of SAS but more recently was owned by Barcelona interests, 20% remaining with the Scandinavian operation.  It had struggled financially for some time and in August 2008 suffered a major accident at Madrid Barajas Airport – an MD82 crashed on take-off and 19 people lost their lives.

Currenlly Spanair operates 29 aircraft, mainly Airbus A320 series in a flexible two-class configuration.  The last few remaining McDonnell Douglas MD twinjet (DC9) series aircraft were being disposed of.

Iberia has issued a statement sympathising with staff and offering special deals for stranded passengers.  Its own low-cost airline is due to start operations at the end of March. www.spanair.com

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