The budget carrier’s low-cost business model was built on all new fuel-efficient Airbus aircraft, enabling it to offer cut-price transatlantic fares from Stansted, Birmingham and Paris.
Its UK launch though was dogged by late aircraft deliveries, despite what Primera described as a “fantastic start” for its low-cost long-haul project.
However, leasing replacement aircraft and corrosion problems with one of its Boeing 737s eventually cost the carrier some €30 million – prompting its collapse.
The late deliveries forced Primera to suspend transatlantic flights from Birmingham in June, just a month after it launched. It axed its short-haul operation there a month later.
Primera Air was founded as a charter airline in 2003 to serve its parent company, Danish tour operator Primera Travel Group. But the airline was spun off as a separate operation, based in Riga, to reduce labour costs. It is unclear whether Primera Travel Group will be liable for the airline’s debts.
Several thousand Brits are thought to be affected by the airline’s collapse. A CAA spokesperson confirmed to TTG some Atol sales were involved. “We’re still waiting to hear from the administrator, but some trips were booked through agents,” he said.
A number of airlines, including Norwegian, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, have offered passengers stranded by Primera’s bankruptcy discounted repatriation fares to get them home.
