Absolute Rubbish.

Trading whilst knowingly insolvent (if indeed they are), could land the Directors in Jail…(breach of fiduciary duties and all that), so ‘perhaps’ a little self-protection rather than an upstanding moral standpoint here!!

I do hope that Highland can get themselves stabalised, we’ve had enough bad news up here North of Watford, and the Highland folks deserve a break.

Good luck to you all

Clear prop's about right; in English law (as far as I know), you can continue to trade while insolvent if you are in negotiations or believe there is some way out. I hope HAL sort it all out (for a variety of reasons: not only for those at HAL but those in remote areas of the UK who rely on them).

Highland is probably subject to Scottish law :E.

DB6 - sorry, yes; I should have made it clear that I was comparing. Unlikely Scottish law much different?

Scottish law is much harsher on directors who are incompetent or deliberately corrupt, compared to English law.

I see their website is now taking bookings (but only two days ahead until Fri 29). Is this a positive sign?

I see their website is now taking bookings (but only two days ahead until Fri 29). Is this a positive sign?

No, it just means we know they'll be in business until at least Friday

A statement released by the company states that they are in ongoing talks with potential investors but won't know if the future of the company has been secured before Sunday 31st January. Bookings are now being accepted up until that date.

Wonder who this could be, Loganair perhaps?

Other airline ready to step in if Highland Airways folds - Press & Journal

I suspect that the article (if correct), would not be an 'investment' by Logan, more of a take over the routes and government subsidies at no cost!!

The article talks about Logan Air stepping in to 'help' rather than investing.

If this happened, it would not be a take over or merger, so TUPE rules would not apply....NOT a good situation, so lets hope an investor can be found by Sunday.

Sounds like Scottish Government covering their arse rather than helping Highland:rolleyes:

All Loganair will want is to pick up the routes, not pay for them. They do operate Twotters and Islanders so no problems there on the island routes.

That's a pretty outrageous comment to make given that Highland is backed by a public enterprise company (i.e. taxpayer money) which funded the buyout and that, amongst others, it apparently owes money to Highlands & Islands Airports (government owned) and presumably others like the taxman. How much more help do you want, bearing in mind that state aid to airlines is illegal in the EU?

Post on another forum states that the wages haven't been paid. However a statement issued by the company is confident about negotiations over the investment and reservations can now be made up until the end of February!!!

The company cann bull:mad: all it likes. The BAE contract has gone The newspaper contracts are being touted and the Welsh PSO finishes shortly.

Its the Campaign Against Aviation that calls the shots now. As airlines dont pay into the ATOL fund the CAA has to repay pax if airlines go bust so theyre not too chuffed to see airlines taking bookings when they may not be able to operate the flights.:eek: Their normal course is to suspend the AOC till funding is sorted out.

If the airline goes bust [without ATOL], the credit card companies [insurance] would refund the customer if the amount paid is £100 or more, and not the CAA. Section 75 Consumer Protection Act refers.:{

The proof of the pudding, as they say, will be in the eating.

I think an acid test here will be if the January salaries are paid in full. It is always the staff who suffer the most when airlines go bust. Not gentle wind down; just a sudden stop.:ugh:

No doubt word will filter out in the not too distant future.

TechRecords,

The BAE contract has gone The newspaper contracts are being touted and the Welsh PSO finishes shortly.

That's a really helpful post for all HWY employees. The BAe contract has not 'gone' (BAe's own internal booking system is taking bookings for flights), the newspaper contracts are running as per normal and have been without any disruption, and the you're right that the Welsh PSO does end shortly as it was up for tender. Only 1 airline submitted a tender (guess who?), and the result will be known within the next 3 weeks.

I realise this is a rumour network, but writing complete tosh like that doesn't help anyone, least of all the 100 odd staff, all in danger of losing their jobs.

Well said HWY4A, there are to many idiots sitting back and scanning these pages looking for problems , I for one am sick of this current situation the Aerospace industry finds itself in. We see billions being passed to Banks – Millions pumped into the automotive industry and quite rightly – but what about the Aerospace industry??? What has the government provided in the way of assistance and support? How pathetic to see a company go under and thousands forced onto the dole at the tax payer’s expense when a support loan could save the situation, yes there are companies run badly but in some cases we have sat back and seen good British airlines go to the wall. Enough is enough I for one believe Highland should be the turning point, no more roumer mongering no more B***sh**, its time the government said how can we help, and to hell with EU rules.

airscooter: You only need to look back through this thread to see that Highland Airways probably wouldn't exist at all if it wasn't for public money. Granted, most of that is in the form of contracts for the provision of services, rather than handing over taxpayer's cash just to keep the airline afloat, but don't forget there was also public support for the management buy-out. But I can't think of another airline which is so dependent on public sources of revenue.
And no, that doesn't mean I think Highland should fail; just that we need to be a little less emotional about who should be responsible for its commercial performance.
NS

The problem is the management. It always is,always will be. Changing things for the sake of change does not help anyone ( just peoples egos in the short term). the company took over contracts that ran on rails generated good cash flow and income. Now they look like they have nothing. People whose income should be protected by the contracts are having salaries not paid.
If this goes wrong there should be a lot of questions asked in ceratain circles!

i cant book my summer flights on HWY so why is there this stupid claim that on line booking is restored. :confused:Discussions are not new cash and it looks like no bookings will be allowed beyond February without new cash. CAA wont allow it and credit card companys are not stupid:\

Bang on "machone".

:ok:

Well said Machone. Hopefully, any takeover will include the proviso of a very large broom

Fred,

You wont be able to book summer flights yet as the tender is up on the route and its not been confirmed yet who will be operating it.

It has been reported that the financial restructuring is imminent. Does anyone know any more?

It was imminent 4 :mad:weeks ago. Warton has gone and still cant book any travel beyond end of the month. Newspapers to go next:bored:

The latest press speculation...

Troubled Highland Airways set to announce rescue package - Scotland on Sunday

As to the logic behind Air Charter Scotland:confused:...I'm sure there's a plan!

Now that I didn't know. So this is already (before the "refinancing package") another taxpayer bail-out while billing itself just like RBS and all the rest as being a cutting edge entrepreneurial company.

Why not just go the whole hog and nationalise it? You could call it, let me see, British European Airways? Maybe they could pick up a few Viscounts for old times sake.

If Air Charter Scotland's involved, look out for pilots being expected to work for no pay.

NS

You want to try being a bit more positive, NorthSouth...

You seem terribly high on your horse NS. You seem to dislike Highland intensely. Why? Do you perceive them to be the only ones receiving public money to provide services? Loganair? Eastern in Wick? And thats only Scotland. And Logan received plenty of subsidies over the years through various buy outs and debt write-offs, we haven't always been in the decent state we are in right now, and probably wouldn't exist were it not for subsidy and assistance.

A few real :mad:heads here. Would be interesting to see how the would feel if the shoe was on the other foot. And let's face it Mr Jetstreamtechrecords you could have easily been were it not for SCS saving you. You really are an unpleasant individual, rubbing your hands together in glee at 120 people staring down the barrel of unemployment. And as for your forecast of a suspended AOC - where is that then?!!!!!:mad::mad::\

Good luck to all at HWY, things seem to be on a positive foot now. I believe you have nearly been paid a full salary for Jan, and will be by Friday fingers crossed. :ok: Hopefully it will all work out.

looking hopefull?

BBC News - Airline 'cautiously optimistic'

Is the purchaser Air Charter Scotland?

Well it seems like the down sizing has been starting lots of jetstream crews have been made redundant.

The apparent glee by some posters about Highlands current situation I don't think is really aimed at the rank and file company employee's.

Its purely aimed at 2-3 people who were the route cause of the change of managment style at Highland and ultimately the situation they are in now. They still haven't learned apparently that respect from employees is earned not a right of a job title. And since the problem managers are now generally refered to as the "toddler" and the "dog god" I don't think any respect has been earned recently.

The posters that have personal issues with the way that they were treated, just bear in mind that the continuation and success of Highland without the current managment will be a far better vindication that you were right and they were wrong. It never was a problem with the "staffs" attitude it was purely down to them being in a job that they wern't competent or mature enough to do.

I wish Kevin and all the rest every success in the future and the post holders that a refusing to move into different roles out of self interest. Do the decent thing and for once in the last 3 years admit that your wrong and let highland move on and develope under new managment. Are you really that pig headed and selfish that you would put 100 plus staff out of work just for 2-3 peoples gain?

O aye its a strong rumour about ACS

But as personal opinion now that Finland and Warton are gone and they are down sizing crewing levels. Only one plane is away at a remote base so most of the hour plus positioning flight when things are tech will have stopped. The complexity of coordinating plane swaps and fire fighting issues will be greatly reduced allowing ops to maybe even get ahead of the game. No paying an extra 3k a month to have out of base crew postioned south. The reduced number of aircraft will allow the engineers to get on top of the aircraft maint and do the quality job that they always wanted to do. Hopefully they will be able to repair the relationship with the oil folk in Aberdeen to start getting charter work for the J41 and any spare J31's.

Change the post holders and Highland could rise from the ashes. But this isn't much help for the people who have been made redundant so far. Fingers crossed that in 6 months time things will require them to be taken on again.

All the best to the rank and file of Highland.

Mad_jock

You almost sound like someone who worked for Highland for years, including back when it was a wee outfit. Not someone who worked there on and off for a wee while and who had well publicised personal issues with some of the management:ok:

How was this allowed to go on for so long?
 

yep your right off and on since 2003. It was pre the latest Warton contract I don't know if you would class that as wee. 2003 I was in ops while I was working as a FI in the old sharky days.

And I throughly enjoyed my last stint at Highland as a contractor. It was a good setup where I was working thanks to all your hard work setting it up. Just like the old days. Good crew, cracking team spirit.

Says it all really about the changes in 2008.

In Administration with immediate effect. (info from BBC Scotland News) - My sympathy to the staff involved if this news is correct

The news seems to be true:

Highland Airways Administration

Best wishes to all the staff at Highland Airways!

Sadly the news is true and the issue of Scottish aviation is likely to be the subject of First Ministers Questions in the Scottish Parliament today.

thoughts and sympathy to the staff at Highland.