Seems like ascend has become descend
Looks like the current climate plus the numerous safety issues have done for ascend.
Not only the incident involving departing the runway far too late at Luton last April (as reported on the BBC yesterday), but the well known and hushed up issue with fuel cut off at Stansted last September (their very own Air India moment!) seem to have combined with their inability to find work to ensure that they close down on Monday.
The crew WhatsApp group chats has been in overdrive with talk of a last supper in India tomorrow, as well as the report that their spicejet partner announced that ops cease on the 26th have left crew confused and in an information vacuum as HQ batten down the hatches. Apparently the only comment from the boss (nepo baby of the Titan owner) has been to apologise about the situation, without confirming whether the company will carry on or shut up shop.
No doubt things will play out over the next 72 hours, the only hope is that ascend have enough cash to pay staff on Monday.
One of their third hand 737 aircraft left EMA on Friday, and after a brief stop in CAI was heading East. Is this a mission to pick up stranded crew on MCT and BOM? Who knows, but things might become clearer once it's destination is known.
More to follow!