General

Skyservice forced into receivership

Canada loses yet another airline

The number of Canadian airlines continues to dwindle after Toronto-based Skyservice Airlines shut down its operations Wednesday, forced into receivership by one of its creditors. The airline was founded in 1986 and operated flights for packaged holiday companies like Sunquest Vacations, flying a fleet of 20 planes to destinations in the southern United States, Mexico and the Caribbean. But last year’s recession and a heavy debt load proved too much for Skyservice, which reportedly owed millions to Sunquest. The airline began canceling flights Wednesday morning and said it will do everything possible to minimize the impact on affected passengers. Sunquest has also offered to find replacement flights for customers who were scheduled to fly on Skyservice planes. Skyservice’s shutdown comes near the end of the winter holiday travel season and almost one year after holiday tour operator Conquest Vacations folded its business in 2009. It joins a long list of airline failures in this country in recent years, including Ottawa’s Zoom Airlines, Vancouver’s Harmony Airways, Jetsgo and Canada 3000. Even Air Canada, the country’s largest airline, narrowly avoided a second trip through bankruptcy protection last summer.

Toronto Star

Looking for more?

Get the Best of Maclean's sent straight to your inbox. Sign up for news, commentary and analysis.
  • By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
FILED UNDER: