Orbest Orizonia having problems?

[LBIA]

Orbest Orizonia Airlines (formerly Iberworld) has stopped all flights with immediate effect and their website Orbest Airlines (http://www.orbest.com) says "Our service is temporally not available, please accept our apologies".

I understand that one of the large Scandinavian package tour companies that charter Orbest (Ving Resor/Ving Reiser) has said that the airline may have gone bankrupt. I hope this is not true as they were due to operate quite a few flights for Thomas Cook UK this summer season.

[CKT789]

http://economia.elpais.com/economia/2013/02/15/actualidad/1360925150_804940.html

Sorry just in Spanish just now.

[RoyHudd]

Closed. Sad news, as always.

[LN-KGL]

Not quite closed yet RoyHudd, four of their five aircraft has been out flying today - actually their A330 is right now to the north of the British Virgin Islands on its way to Cancun (flying for Air Europa). According to El Pais the Spanish Competition Commission has objected to merger between Orbest and the orther airline of Globalia, Air Europa. Because of this uncertainty Globalia has stopped funding Orbest. It seems like Orbest today got a 4 months creditor protection in backruptcy court, but there are rumours that all Orbest aircraft are ordered back to base. Maybe GECAS want their 3x A320 back?

Already two months ago (16 December 2012) El Pais had an article about the posibility for an Orbest bankruptcy, so today's events should not come as a surprise.
Globalia revienta la boda | Economía | EL PAÍS (http://economia.elpais.com/economia/2012/12/14/actualidad/1355489633_887287.html)

[RoyHudd]

I hope you are right, LN-KGL. No-one in the profession wishes to see more unemployed pilots and crews.

[LN-KGL]

I can add to that, also people outside the profession, like me, don't wish unemployed pilots and crew.

[Airbus_a321]

So sad. Even the very good ones, no - the excellent ones - , are leaving the market. -
Giving place now for new crew despiteous airlines - as this is obviously the new tendency within airlines today. "Squeeze the crews ! ". The harder the better. Obviously like a kind of "mantra" for all those so called airline "managment" - buffoons.
In all my career, flying for IWD, was the most nicest job I ever had. A very personal, very friendly, very professional and utmost "crew-friendly" atmosphere. 24/7. Great staff on the ground and in the offices - not to forget the great working atmosphere with flightdeck-and cabin-crew.
Had no better job before, and of course no better thereafter.
It's a pitty. It makes me sad. Cross my fingers for all of them. Maybe they can recover.

[Carbon Brakes 300]

I flew for IWD for a few years. It was a great environment with great Ts and Cs, fantastic ambience and overall job satisfaction. All my friends waiting for the outcome, I wish you the best finding new jobs because Hidalgo is not going to refloat Orbest.
Never should have let Carylsle get near. Now one more spanish airline gone.

[fantom]

Was Airworld originally (AWD) which became part of Thomas Cook - I know, I was there. Launched as IWD using same lettering font as AWD.

Very sad indeed.

[Locker10a]

Firstly my thoughts go to the crew and pilots among other staff at Orbest and I hope they will all remain in employment in the Industry through some means, be it merger or re-investment in the airline in its current form.

Secondly I am wondering what will happenen with regards to my Orbest flight in july, an operation on behalf of Thomas Cook ! Is it likely that Air Europe will take over their charter operations? Or will the tour operator have to contract another airline ? This surely wont be an easy task as most airlines will have full schedules for July! Especially charter airlines! Any ideas as to what will happen?

[oceancrosser]

Saw one Orbest A330 sitting in CCS today with a CS- reg.

[Danny_R]

Latest news is that Orizonia have informed their employees today that they will close down on Wednesday, however they have received two offers for Orbest which would see that part of the company and those working for it saved.

So fingers crossed they can come to an agreement. A decision will apparently be made tomorrow on the two offers.

Only in Spanish at the moment : Orizonia cierra y ultima la venta de Vibo Viajes y Orbest | Noticias de Agencias de viajes | Revista de turismo Preferente.com (http://www.preferente.com/noticias-de-agencias-de-viajes/orizonia-cierra-y-ultima-vender-vibo-y-orbest-a-barcelo-237051.html)

[cockyjester]

Any news, were they saved?

[ChiefT]

Orbest Orizonia acceded to judicial protection on February 15th 2013, due to problems in its fusion with the Globalia Group, parent for Air Europa

[LBIA]

Good news as it looks like The Barceló group have bought Orbest Airlines and its network of around 150 Vibo Travel agencies from Orizonia group, which in turn will save around 1,500 jobs.

Orizonia expected to “Save” some 1,500 jobs after reaching an agreement with the Barcelo group (http://www.deltaworld.org/economy/Orizonia-expected-to-Save-some-1-500-jobs-after-reaching-an-agreement-with-the-Barcelo-group/)

[CancelIFR]

Was glad to see one of their a320s land at ACE yesterday. Guess things worked out

[paparomeodelta]

No, they are not saved. Check website Orbest Airlines (http://www.orbest.com) and you will see the doomesday message.
I was scheduled with them from Tenerife to Norrkoping today, but the flight was replaced by SmartLynx.

[paparomeodelta]

I know JH, my point is that nothing has changed, as opposed to other recent posts...

[MKY661]

OK does anyone know what is going on? There are now no aircraft in the Orbest Orizonia fleet but some aircraft have been transferred to Orbest Portugal. Maybe they are moving operations there?

[mizake the mizzen]

the situation with ORBEST AIRLINES still seems foggy.
The aircraft (3 I believe, 1x A330 + 2 xA320) have been transfered to Orbest Portugal and transfered to the Portuguese register.

TUI Ireland has replaced all the flying it had planned on Orbest (Fri/Sat/Sun 1x A320 to be based in Cork/ORK) with Arkefly (TUI Netherlands) (Air Explore unit on wet lease) and AlbaStar (for DUB-REU route).

Thomas Cook Ireland also planned to have a Fri/Sat/Sun unit of Orbest in DUB , some of it's flying has been covered by Germania A319 but some is still showing as carrier TBA. Thomas Cook share an aircraft with TUI Ireland from Cork so that will also now be on Arkefly/AirExplore unit.

TUI and Thomas Cook Scandinavia are still showing Orbest as the carrier for some of their regional Scandinavian routes from the Canaries for W2013/14 season...

Confused!

[EI-A330-300]

Germania are not covering any IWD flights they operated the same routes last year. BTW it's as a B737.