A UK airline has collapsed into administration after facing mounting financial pressures, with more than 200 jobs potentially affected. European Cargo, based at Bournemouth International Airport, appointed joint administrators on Wednesday after what it described as a period of “significant financial pressure”.
The freight airline said reduced flying activity, working capital challenges and rising fuel costs had all contributed to the business’s collapse. In a statement published on its website, the company said: “The company has ceased trading and, regrettably, redundancies are being made. Affected employees are being contacted as a priority – while also engaging with customers, suppliers, creditors and other key stakeholders.” European Cargo specialised in transporting freight using Airbus A340-600 aircraft and became known during the Covid-19 pandemic for flying personal protective equipment (PPE) into Bournemouth Airport. It began operations in April 2020 when its parent company, European Aviation, responded to an urgent charter request by the UK government for PPE transport from Malaysia.