Amsterdam Airlines

[Towerman]

Does anybody have an information on the actual situation at Amsterdam Airlines?

They have 3 x A320 aircraft one in check and two operational. Aircraft leased from ILFC and Aercap.

[Towerman]

One A320 is reportedly in Turkey and engines are claimed by leasing company owners.

Suppliers are reportedly operating on a cash only basis.

Can someone from the operator clarify what is happening?

[Fosters]

Strategic Airlines aircraft operating some of their flights yesterday and today.

[WJ888]

All flights cancelled, according to Article - Home Page (http://pda.luchtvaartnieuws.nl/nl-NL/Article.cms/Airlines/Amsterdam_Airlines_staakt_vliegoperaties_onmiddellijk) (Dutch).

A translation:
SCHIPHOL - Amsterdam Airlines ceases with immediate effect all flights. Managing director Jaap Horsten said this in an announcement to the employees of the airline. AA said that 'as a result of extraordinary circumstances' important disturbances in the flight programme took place. On top of that, the airline almost lost its licence, while it was under increased surveillance by the IVW (the Dutch Inspectorate for Transport, Public Works and Water Management).

"We know this has major effects for all our employees, because we are forced to terminate the contracts with everyone," says Horsten in the memo sent to the staff. "The UWV (the Dutch unemployment bureau) will be informed as soon as possible so that you can claim an unemployment benefit, if possible." Horsten was unavailable for comment this Monday afternoon.

The Telegraaf (a Dutch newspaper) reported on Monday that the IVW has increased the surveillance on Amsterdam Airlines. The company might be suffering from financial problems because of the loss of large contracts and the economic crisis. The Dutch tax autority has also increased controls on Amsterdam Airlines and a leasing company chained one aircraft. This airplane would now be in Woensdrecht.

Amsterdam Airlines began flying operations in 2008 and now has a fleet of three Airbus A320s. The airline flew for third parties and flew under its own flight number regular flights for travel agencies, mainly to Turkey and Morocco. On behalf of Scandinavian countries Amsterdam Airlines transported troops to Afghanistan.

[WJ888]

Update:
The IVW suspended the operational licence of AAN because of the announcement of Horsten. The airline has three months for a possible restart before the licence is withdrawn permanently. "But it has to be proved before that time that they are financially sound and they meet all safety regulations", according to the IVW.

All flights will be operated by Strategic Airlines, according to mltours.nl (Dutch, the booking agency of Amsterdam Airlines).

[WJ888]

A message by MLtours:
http://www.mltours.nl/documents/partners_eng.pdf

[WJ888]

Amsterdam Airlines is definitely bankrupt, according to Luchtvaartnieuws.nl:
Amsterdam Airlines is bankrupt. The Dutch airline Tuesday filed for bankruptcy, confirms managing director Jaap Horsten to Luchtvaartnieuws.nl. The management of the company examined posibilities for deferred payment, but couldn't find a solution.