Airlines Backbone Aviation ceases operations

In a statement, published on its Facebook page, Backbone Aviation has announced it has ceased all operations on January 17, 2018. The carrier, which operated a fleet of two Bombardier CRJ100 aircraft was affected by the bankruptcy of the Powdair, a virtual carrier that planned to offer flights to Sion in Winter 2017/2018.

“The company took a financial hit in 2017, when the late delivery of our aircraft from our Lessor resulted in our ACMI contract with a major UK carrier being cancelled,” stated Backbone Chairman Bjarn Lastein. “Subsequently, we signed a multi aircraft deal to provide services to the start-up airline "Powdair". A lot of effort and money went into preparing for that operation, but unfortunately Powdair informed us mere days before scheduled flight were due to commence, that due to their main investor pulling out, the company was effectively out of business.”

The carrier will continue negotiations with possible investors and is searching for several airlines in regards to providing ACMI or Charter services.