Latest news with #SimonCalder
The Herald Scotland
a day ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Flights from London Heathrow to Doha and Dubai cancelled
The BA109 flight departed from the UK at 9.53pm on Saturday and reached Saudi Arabia before the Boeing 787 Dreamliner changed its course, landing in Switzerland, according to flight-tracking website Flightradar24. All of the airline's flights to Dubai and Doha that were scheduled to depart from Heathrow on Sunday have been cancelled, including return flights, the company said. Dubai: 1,000-plus British Airways passengers waiting in the UAE to be flown home after BA cancelled 4 flights from Heathrow to DXB. 1 BA plane on Saturday reached Saudi Arabia before turning around, but had to divert to Zurich. Emirates operating — Simon Calder (@SimonCalder) June 22, 2025 Israel announced on Sunday (June 22) that it had closed its airspace to both inbound and outbound flights in the wake of the US attacks. The US struck three nuclear test sites in Iran overnight, prompting Tehran to launch a retaliatory ballistic missile barrage against Israel. Recommended reading: In a statement, British Airways said: 'As a result of recent events, we have adjusted our flight schedule to ensure the safety of our customers and crew, which is always our top priority. 'We are contacting our customers to advise them of their options while we work through this developing situation.' BA is offering a flexible booking policy for customers already booked onto flights to Dubai and Doha between Sunday and Tuesday who wish to change their dates of travel.
The Independent
6 days ago
- The Independent
Is it still safe to travel to Turkey? Simon Calder's advice amid Israel–Iran tensions
The Independent's travel correspondent Simon Calder offers his latest advice as tensions between Israel and Iran raise concerns among holidaymakers. The conflict, which has led to airspace closures and flight diversions across parts of the Middle East, has prompted questions about nearby destinations — including Turkey, Cyprus, Egypt, Jordan and Greece. Calder says the situation remains contained to Israel and Iran, and that he would 'not hesitate' to visit any of the popular Eastern Mediterranean resorts this summer.
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The Independent
6 days ago
- The Independent
After Air India plane crash, should we worry about flying? Simon Calder answers your air travel safety questions
Welcome to an exclusive Ask Me Anything session with me, Simon Calder, travel correspondent at The Independent. Keep scrolling for more. If you want to jump straight to the Q&A, click here. The heartbreaking crash of Air India flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick has shocked many and raised serious questions about aviation safety. This tragedy follows a series of fatal accidents involving passenger jets in South Korea, Azerbaijan, Brazil and the United States over the past six months. Understandably, many prospective travellers are asking: is flying becoming more dangerous? Yet while these incidents are deeply troubling, it's important to remember that this is still the safest era in the history of aviation. In 2023, no scheduled passenger jets were involved in fatal accidents. And since the 1980s, there hasn't been a single fatal crash involving a UK passenger jet. The risks that once haunted aviation have, for the most part, been engineered out – but recent events, from mid-air structural failures to fatal runway collisions, show that no system is immune to failure. So what lessons are being learned from the latest disasters? What role does aircraft design — especially at Boeing – play in these incidents? And how can passengers assess risk and stay informed without succumbing to fear? I'll be answering all your questions about air safety, recent crashes, aviation regulation and what it all means for travellers in 2025 and beyond. If you have a question, submit it now or join me live for our 'Ask Me Anything' Q&A on Wednesday, 16 June at 1pm BST.
Time of India
11-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
‘Please do not go to the airport': Silver Airways ceases operations immediately; asset sale during bankruptcy collapses
Florida-based regional carrier Silver Airways abruptly shut down all flight operations on Wednesday, leaving passengers stranded and scrambling for refunds and alternative travel. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The announcement came via a statement on the airline's website: 'We regret to inform you that we are ceasing operations as of today, June 11, 2025... Please do not go to the airport.' The sudden suspension follows a failed attempt to restructure under bankruptcy. Silver had entered a transaction to sell its assets to another airline holding company, but the buyer opted not to continue operations in Florida, the Bahamas, and the Caribbean. Dozens of flights scheduled for Wednesday and later this month have now been cancelled, according to data from FlightRadar. Silver Airways in a statement on its website said: "We regret to inform you that we are ceasing operations as of today, June 11, 2025. In an attempt to restructure in bankruptcy, Silver entered into a transaction to sell its assets to another airline holding company, who unfortunately has determined to not continue Silver's flight operations in Florida, the Bahamas and the Caribbean. Please do not go to the airport. All credit card purchases should be refundable through your credit card company or your travel agency." Silver Airways advised customers to seek refunds through their credit card companies or travel agencies. 'All credit card purchases should be refundable,' the statement noted. The airline, once a key connector for Florida and Caribbean routes, operated flights in and out of hubs like Fort Lauderdale and Puerto Rico using short-haul ATR turboprop aircraft. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Silver had been reducing its operations in recent months, halving its fleet and halting Orlando services in March. Flights continued through Tuesday, just one day before the shutdown. Silver filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in December 2024, citing over $100 million in debt. It had hoped the process would be completed by early 2025, putting the airline on stable financial footing. A $5.7 million stalking horse bid had been offered, but a recent bankruptcy court auction drew no new offers, dashing hopes for a viable turnaround. Founded in 2011 out of the remnants of Gulfstream International Airlines, Silver Airways became a popular carrier for regional travel in the southeast US and the Caribbean. However, high fuel and maintenance costs, worsened by the Covid-19 travel slump, strained its finances. Simon Calder, travel correspondent for The Independent, said the airline had provided 'essential connectivity' but that 'they couldn't make the concept of 'domestic airline' for the Sunshine State financially sustainable.' He added that while most passengers should get their money back via credit card protections, 'the problem is going to be finding alternative transport.' Silver's collapse coincides with another regional airline shutdown—Jetstar Asia, operated by Qantas, which will wind down over the next seven weeks and cease operations entirely by July 31.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Passengers told ‘not to go to airport' after airline suddenly shuts down all flights
A Florida-based airline announced it would immediately stop flying after a bankruptcy sale ceased operations, leaving passengers suddenly without flights on the day of travel. Silver Airways released a statement to its customers on Wednesday, 11 June, informing them it is ceasing operations immediately. 'In an attempt to restructure in bankruptcy, Silver entered into a transaction to sell its assets to another airline holding company.' It added that the holding company 'unfortunately has determined to not continue Silver's flight operations in Florida, the Bahamas and the Caribbean'. 'Please do not go to the airport,' Silver Airways added. 'All credit card purchases should be refunded through your credit card company or your travel agency.' Silver Airways had a series of routes flying to, from and within Florida, the Bahamas, Puerto Rico and Caribbean Islands, with flights in and out of Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport being one of the most common. The airline had dozens of flights scheduled on Wednesday and throughout June, data from FlightRadar shows, but the airline has announced that these will be cancelled. Passengers who booked journeys to and from Florida, the Bahamas or within the Caribbean will now have to rebook onto a new flight and seek a refund. Silver Airways flight operations were still taking place across most of their routes right up until Tuesday, the day before it stopped flying. However, in prior months, it had reduced its fleet by half, as well as abruptly stopping services to and from Orlando in March. In December, the airline told its customers that it voluntarily filed for Chapter 11 protection in a bankruptcy court in the Southern District of Florida. At the time, it said the decision would allow Silver Airways to secure additional capital and carry out financial restructuring. It predicted that by the first quarter of 2025, this process would be complete, and it would then be in a stronger position to continue serving customers. The airline was more than $100 million in debt, according to WLRN. The airline had a stalking horse acquisition offer from a firm of around $5.7 million, but at a recent bankruptcy auction ordered by a court judge in hopes of securing larger funding to pay off the debts, the regional airline received no bids to take over the company. Silver Airways launched in 2011 off the back of the assets from another defunct service, Gulfstream International Airlines. Over the next 14 years, the regional airline became a popular choice for ferrying tourists between Florida and the Caribbean, using short-haul turbo ATR aircraft. While the airline remained favoured in the region, Silver Airways began facing fuel and maintenance cost issues, exacerbated by the lack of travel in the Covid pandemic. Simon Calder, Travel Correspondent of The Independent, said: 'Silver Airways provided essential connectivity to, from and within Florida. But evidently they couldn't make the concept of 'domestic airline' for the Sunshine State financially sustainable. 'No one should lose out financially, since credit-card firms will refund any air fares – the problem is going to be finding alternative transport. 'It remains to be seen if anyone will move in to replace Silver Airways on some of its network.' The airline's announcement comes at the same time that Qantas revealed it will be shutting down Jetstar Asia after 20 years of operations. Jetstar Asia will reduce its flight schedule across the next seven weeks before operations cease on 31 July.
