Ascend Airways surrenders English AOC and returns aircraft to Irish lessors

• Ascend Airways has decided to surrender its English AOC.
• The fleet of six B737-8 aircraft will return to lessors.
• Geopolitical tensions and jet fuel prices have impacted operations.
• The company employed around 160 people in England.
• Ascend Airways Malaysia has continued normal operations.

Ascend Airways has announced the surrender of its English air operator’s certificate and the return of its fleet of six Boeing 737-8 aircraft to lessors including Air Lease Corporation, SMBC and  Bocomm Leasing. The Avia Solutions Group-owned ACMI and charter specialist has cited ongoing geopolitical tensions from the conflict in the Middle East and sustained increases in jet fuel prices. These factors have created a challenging outlook for the summer season.

The company has blamed structural challenges of operating a UK AOC within the European ACMI market including lack of reciprocal wet leasing rights and a higher cost base. Ascend Airways has met April payroll obligations and has provided support to employees on their rights and entitlements. A namesake AOC in Malaysia has continued to operate unaffected.

Related posts:

SPAIN & PORTUGAL visitor numbers to Ireland up by 18.3pc in March USA visitor numbers to Ireland up by 22.6pc in March GERMANY visitor numbers to Ireland up by 31.8pc in March Irish visits to Spain up 8.3pc in February to 158,271, now 174pc of pre-pandemic