Swiss regional airline SkyWork Airlines has gone bankrupt and halted all operations, stating it will file for insolvency due to “economic reasons.”
The Bern-Belp Airport-based carrier flew to 19 European destinations including Amsterdam, Berlin, Hamburg, London, Majorca, Munich and Vienna but was known to have been struggling financially since last year, when it was temporarily grounded and told by the Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) that it would terminate SkyWork’s air operator’s certificate if it failed to provide sufficient funds to operate its winter schedule.
Although initially securing some investment last year that allowed it to restart and continue in November, it has been unable to turn things around and declared bankruptcy yesterday after failed negotiations with a new potential investor left it unable to provide the financial guarantees necessary to continue. It ceased all operations on 29 August and voluntarily handed back its operating licence to FOCA.
The halt of operations has impacted 11,000 passengers with bookings. An administrator has yet to be formally announced.
The management of SkyWork Airlines stated they “sincerely thanked” customers for their loyalty to the airline over the past seven years, as well as its employees and partners.
The carrier has been operating six Saab 2000 turboprop aircraft for its services and was reportedly responsible for approximately 60% of all flights out of Bern-Belp. Other airlines flying out of Bern include Helvetic Airways.
Written by: Mark Thomas
