Primera Air goes bankrupt, stranding thousands.......

"Goodbye to all of you," is what the staff of low-cost airline Primera Air put on their website as the airline crashed and suspended operations on Sunday night and filed for bankruptcy today.

In the message posted on the site, it told how the airline had stopped flying and thanked passengers for their loyalty but lacked any detail to help the thousands of stranded passengers or give details of how people with future bookings could claim refunds.

The Danish company with Icelandic owners started operations in 2003 as a charter airline and had grown rapidly in the last few years expanding into low-cost trans-Atlantic scheduled flights. The airline had started many routes to the USA from various European countries including the UK, often advertising incredibly low fares.

For UK passengers, there is little recourse on getting money back, the UK's CAA said "Primera Air, a Danish scheduled air carrier which operated services from various points in the United Kingdom, has announced it will cease operations.  Primera Air is not covered by the UK Civil Aviation Authority's ATOL Protection scheme which only covers passengers booked on a package holiday.". The authority advised that if passengers had booked using their credit cards, they may be able to make a claim against their card provider. Some card providers will ask for a negative response letter confirming the position, which the CAA advises will be published shortly.  People who had booked flights as part of a package or a travel agent may also be entitled to a refund, but would need to check with their tour company or travel agent. For more details on the CAA advice can be found on its website - https://www.caa.co.uk/News/Advice-to-UK-consumers-on-Primera-Air-ceasing-operations/

Primera's US expansion from Brussels

The low-cost carrier Primera Air is growing its American network, but not from the UK, where it is slowly pulling out services, but from Belgium.

The latest raft of routes will see the carrier fly from Brussels to three top US destinations, starting in spring next year;  The airline is going to be using brand new Boeing 737 Max 9 jets to go to Boston, Newark and Washington from Brussels. 

Primera says fares will start at $149 one way from Boston and Newark, while the Washington flights are a little more at $199 one way for the most basic of flight only tickets and 30 inches of leg room.

Primera Air's Airbus A321neo

'We embrace tomorrow' That's the saying from Primera Air as they welcome the latest addition to their fleet, the Airbus A321neo.

The Airbus A321neo is a massive step forward for the airline and the cutting-edge quality and design, enhanced new engine option (hence the neo), cabin customization flexibility combined with the innovative seat design will prove a winner on the transatlantic routes. 

Primera tells us the Airbus A321neo is a true industry-leading airliner with unprecedented fuel efficiency thanks to its wing Sharklets and state-of-the-art engines. 

Trouble for Primera Air passengers as it pulls out of Birmingham and cuts Stansted routes

Primera Air has decided to cancel short-haul operations from Birmingham as it tries to stem losses and follows an earlier decision to cancel long-haul flying.

Flight to Palma de Mallorca and Barcelona are to be withdrawn from 3rs September whilst the routes to Alicante, Tenerife, Las Palma, Reykjavik and Malaga will all cease on 29th October this year on 29th Ocober, the airline said“Our priority is ensuring those affected passengers are compensated in compliance with EU261/2004, and alternative travel arrangements have been offered to them, as well as the option of a full refund if appropriate, we are committed to minimising any disruption and are deeply sorry for the inconvenience this may cause.”

In addition the troubled airline has already started to reduce its frequencies from London Stansted, the Malaga service has already been reduced to five flights a week and the carriers Alicante route will come to an end from the start of October. 

Primera Air halts Birmingham long-haul services

It is bad news for Birmingham as the European low-cost carrier Primera Air put a halt to all its long-haul flights from the airport for this summer.

The airline claims the delays in the arrival of its new A321neo aircraft has left is the cause of the cancellation of the flight programme for summer 2018, but they do hope to reinstate the schedule when new planes arrive from next year.

The airline had been planning to fly between Birmingham and New York and Toronto for summer, but would now not be able to. The airline was, it said, arranging for all affected passengers to be offered alternative travel from Stanstead or given a full refund. 

Primera Air takes delivery of its first A321neo

Primera Air, the European low-fare-carrier, has taken delivery of its very first Airbus A321neo at an event in Hamburg, Germany attended by Andri Már Ingólfsson, CEO and President of Primera Travel Group and Kimon Sotiropoulos, Vice President Sales Northern and Central Europe from Airbus. 
This technologically advanced and super fuel-efficient aircraft, which was assembled in Hamburg, is the first of three A321neos to be leased from GECAS in 2018. Primera Air will also lease a further five A321neos from other lessors, including two A321LRs, growing its fleet to eight aircraft in 2018.
The aircraft, powered by CFM International LEAP-1A engines features a two-class layout with 16 premium and 182 economy seats. The aircraft was selected by Primera Air for its outstanding operational efficiency, comfort and range. The aircraft will be deployed in the United Kingdom and France on transatlantic destinations to North America.

PrimeraAir to head to Washington from this summer.

Primera Air is launching a new nonstop service connecting Washington, DC. to London Stanstead, which will operate five times a week starting in August.

Primera, which is based in Latvia and Denmark, launched in 2003 as a charter carrier advises the fares will start at around $199 one way.  The airline has 18 long-haul aircraft - the addition of the Airbus A321neo to our fleet marks a new dawn in transatlantic flights. The latest technology, improved efficiency and comfort means a better journey for you. And while we are excited for all the next milestones of aviation, we are also proud flyers of Boeing 737 series airliners which have proven their reliability and efficiency time and time again. 

New UK routes for Primera Air. low cost flights but don't forget the fees for extras

Primera Air, the transatlantic low-fares and high-fees airline are going to launch two daily services from Birmingham to Malaga and Palma from 14th May. The airline is also going to be offering daily services to Malaga and Alicante from London Stansted airport starting 23rd April.

The airline says the flights will be operated by Boeing 737-800 with 189 all economy seats with ticket prices starting at just £35 one way. However on top of that would be fees for meals £11.99, drinks £2.50 for a coffee or a can of coke or just water, selecting a seat - minimum £12.99, luggage from £24.99 and a £9 transaction fee to even make the booking.

Primera Air president and owner Andri Mar Ingolfsson said: “We see a stable and high demand for our transatlantic flights from Birmingham and London to New York, Boston and Toronto. It has encouraged us to introduce more flights to leisure destinations in Spain that historically has been our core product and service in which we have an extensive experience. Flights to Mallorca, Alicante and Malaga will improve the leisure flight schedule for travellers to already beloved destinations.”

Flights New York and Boston from the UK will start operating at the start of April next year with fares starting at £99 one way.  There are still some £99 outbound flights available to New York (Newark) from Stanstead, if you're very lucky, we searched on 23rd at 21.26 and couldn't find a single one. Remember, these prices are the baseline fare only and you'll have to add tax to the cost (£154 return)  Next to consider is the fees that Primera charge you:  

Transaction fee  £9
Seat selection    £19.99 - £44.99
Meal                  £29.99 - £59.99
Luggage            £24.99
Drinks               £2.50 (from)

We looked at a New York trip out 22 April return 05 May.  

Primera Air £373.94  (STN - EWR -STN)

Virgin £403.21 (LHR-EWR-LHR)

Iberia  £373.97 (LHR - EWR - LHR) Operated by British Airways

United £364.01 (LHR -EWR - LHR)

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New - Birmingham to New York and Boston.....

   

United Airlines announced last week that its Birmingham to New York route would end in October this year, leaving England’s populous city without a direct route to the US for the first time in over 20 years.

However, like a bolt from the blue, a special new lifeline was offered when another airline announced it would fly not one, but two new routes from Birmingham across the pond.  This new aviation saviour  will fly a daily service to Newark and a four-times weekly service to Boston.

But who is this new entrant into the UK - America trans-Atlantic carrier club.  It's an airline you most probably have never heard of,   they are called  Primera Air,  a little-known low-cost carrier.  They will launch their routes from Birmingham in May 2018 and London Stansted in April 2018.