UK airline EcoJet collapses and cancels all flights after plans to fly without jet fuel go awry
An airline that promised to offer the world's first ever electric flight paths has collapsed during the current height of the Iran War and global energy crisis.
EcoJet Airlines, based in Scotland, said it was 'flying towards a greener future by empowering people, delivering excellence in every flight, and shaping tomorrow's aviation through innovation'.
But today (6 May) the travel company has entered liquidation after failing to funding to guarantee its long-term future.
Away from the fuel crisis engulfing other airlines, the business needed to raise £20 million but failed to fill the pot to the required cash money level.
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According to a notice published in the official Gazette public records on 1 May, Paul Dounis and Mark Harper from Opus Restructuring were appointed joint liquidators this month.
It marks a short shelf-life for the firm, having only been founded in 2023 by the founder of Ecotricity and owner of Forest Green Rovers, Dale Vince.
A spokesperson for the business said: "EcoJet was a start-up business and has no material assets.
"The members have elected to fund the liquidation process to ensure that the company's employees receive their full statutory entitlements."
Mr Vince said he had 'paused investment into EcoJet', adding: "We remain committed to electrifying all forms of transport - aviation is the last frontier and the hardest.
"It's taking longer than we hoped, to get the technology and regulatory pieces of the puzzle in alignment, and so we're pausing work at this time.
"This is a vital frontier in the move to net zero, green living, whatever you choose to call it - and it's absolutely doable. It's a matter of when, not if."
The aim for the business was to launch with their 19 seat aircraft, powered by ZeroAvia's ZA600 hydrogen-electric engine, flying passengers on routes of up to 300 miles.
After then, it was looking to connect UK airports across the country with European destinations using their larger 70-plus seat aircraft, adapted for zero-emission flight with the ZA2000 engine.
This aircraft is capable of carrying passengers on routes of up to 1,000 miles, EcoJet Airlines claimed.
"It's one step at a time, but Ecojet’s big, bold, ambitious goal is to bring you zero-emission flights," the airline said at launch.
The petition to wind up the business was initially lodged on 20 January this year, almost five months before liquidators from Opus Restructuring were attached to the case.
Topics: Travel, UK News, Iran, Cost of Living
Tom Earnshaw