On the last flight from Dubai back to London, the captain had the displeasure of having to announce to passengers and crew that the airline had gone bust. One passenger's account of this below:
"The hostesses all lined up, they were howling, some of the passengers were in tears. The captain also announced that the hostesses had not been paid for over a month, and they were doing this for free. When we landed, the receivers came on board and took possession of the plane."
http://londonist.com/2008/05/silverjet_final.php
I suspect this closure has been strategically timed to follow what looks like been some jiggery-pokery going on with Silverjet shares. This kind of thing is illegal if it can be proven: issue a press release to increase the value of the shares (or send strange emails to crew about "secret" investors... we all received them) sell when they're at their peak, then announce closure when more investors/little guys have been scammed rendering the shares virtually worthless.
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/to...cle3723391.ece