Air Comet ceases operations

Air Comet announced it is ceasing operations after a British Judge ordered its fleet of leased aircraft be impounded (EFE, 21-Dec-2009). The airline, which operates between Spain and several Latin American countries, will commence bankruptcy proceedings and request permission from the Spanish Government to dismiss all of its approximately 700 staff. The carrier reportedly owes EUR17.2 million in lease payments to HSH Nord Bank and EUR7 million in back pay to employees.