Spanair stops flying after Qatar deal falls through (Flight Global)

January 30, 2012

Star Alliance carrier Spanair has announced that it is halting all operations today, with the last flight expected to arrive at its Barcelona base at 22:00, after talks with Qatar Airways over a cash-for-shares deal collapsed.

 Flights had begun to be cancelled from the middle of the afternoon after the airline’s other potential saviour, the Catalan regional government, made it clear that the carrier could expect no further loans from the authorities.

Spain’s public airport operator Aena has prepared special areas at Madrid Barajas and Barcelona El Prat airports to assist stranded passengers. An Aena source said the number of affected passengers may amount to “several thousand” at the two airports. Aena is asking passengers with Spanair tickets not to travel to the airport until they have a confirmed seat on another airline.

Complete article in FlightGlobal.com