Blue Air reports EUR 2.4 mln loss from air shutdown, asks for Govt. and EC support

Romanian low cost carrier Blue Air, which says it has posted a EUR 2.48 million loss due the European air shutdown this week after the Icelandic volcano eruption, is now asking for support from the Romanian government and the European Commission, according to Mediafax newswire. Blue Air had to cancel 164 flights which would have carried 20,100 passengers. Out of the EUR 2.48 million, its sales loss was of EUR 1.7 million, EUR 450,000 covered reimbursements, EUR 300,000 was the amount lost for re-scheduling for future flights and EUR 30,000, the cost of operating from other airports, according to Sherif Ussama, general manager of Blue Air. Blue Air is owned by Romanian businessmen Nelu Iordache. The company posted a turnover of EUR 140 million last year, below its previous expectations. The eruption of the Icelandic volcano created chaos all across the world, as it triggered a shutdown of airspaces for most European countries and fueled losses for airlines companies unable to operate flights. Romania's airspace was close down between last Saturday, April 17 and Monday, April 19. Romanian state-owned carrier Tarom said it posted a loss of EUR 4 million due to the air shutdown.