Flight paths

30 January 2012 By Fiona Maharg-Bravo

Spain’s fourth largest carrier couldn’t compete in today’s ruthless aviation market without help from Catalonia’s regional government. Spanair could hardly expect to survive on handouts long term. Other second-tier European airlines will have to rely on self help or mergers.

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Spanair, Spain’s fourth largest airline by passenger numbers, ceased operations on Jan. 27. All its aircraft were grounded after its owner said it would not sink any more money into the company.
“It’s impossible for the Catalan government to provide new capital, that is what we have communicated to the company,” the Catalan government said in a news release.
Spanair was originally owned by SAS Airlines. It sold the majority of the airline in 2009 to a group of Catalan investors and Catalan public entities. SAS retained an 11 percent stake.

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