The end for Malev ?

[cHabu]

6 am 03 February 2012 – Malév ceases its operation

Based on the Board of Dierctors’ decision Hungary’s National Airline ceased its operation to minimize its losses. According to this statement, after nearly 66 years of continuous operation, Malév aircrafts will not depart from 6 am 03 February.

Unfortunately, the event occurred which we had a greatest fear of and we wanted to avoid with might and main. Although, until the latter days there were prospects to continue operation and the trust of our passengers is unbroken, our partners lost their trust due to the information published in the last days and they started to ask for payment of their services in advance. This speeded up the cash outflow and the situation of the airline became untenable. It is also known that the owner, despite the best intentions, is unable to provide additional financial resources to operate after the EU decision. Considering all these the Board decided to order the cease of operation of the Hungary’s National Airline. We apologize to all of our passengers. - announced CEO Lorant Limburger.

The Call Centre informs the Airline’s passengers about the way how they can get to their destinations and the possibilities of compensation.

Passengers entitled to rerouting

According to the government regulation which entered into force on 31st January 2012, assistance can be provided to those passengers who purchased their valid tickets before Malév cease and whose travel dates are on the suspension day or on the following three calendar days. In addition, to those who already travelled to their destination on the suspension day or before and posses valid return tickets on Malév flights on a date not later than 29th Februray 2012. Those who are entitled are going to have assistance from Malév by rerouting their tickets to other flights or other modes of transportation.

[cHabu]

Via Twitter:

After 66 yrs of operation, Malév Hungarian Airlines ceases operation. Our airline wishes to thank our Passengers for their continued trust.

[Leadfoot]

It is still uncertain when Malév aircraft will be flown to Shannon. According to the latest information, the departure of 15 to 19 a/c is scheduled between 15:10 and 15:40 CET today. However, rumours suggest that no crews are available to fly the planes, since none of Malév's pilots were willing to complete these flights.

[330/340]

The accident with the B-767 few months ago didn't help realy to came out of the financial problems.

What accident?

Erwin

I think he refers to that 737-800 that had a tail strike during take off (can't remember the details) that caused a expensive repair.
The 767 is gone for some time now, the 767-200 for years and the -300 (ex KLM) went to S7 several months ago

Thanks, sorry of the typo, of cause the 737 tail accident !!

[frank kramer]

According to Dutch public tv, the vultures are about: apparently, Ryanair has already expressed an interest in taking over flights from Budapest to 31 destinations...

[Leadfoot]

According to Dutch public tv, the vultures are about: apparently, Ryanair has already expressed an interest in taking over flights from Budapest to 31 destinations...

Actually, all 3 major discount airlines operating from Budapest (EasyJet, Wizz and Ryanair - the latter announced its return to Hungary just some 2 weeks before Malév's bankruptcy) want a piece of the action.

Ryanair was scheduled to start service from Budapest to 5 destinations in mid March, but they are now planning on opening their Budapest HQ in 2 weeks with 31 destinations.

Wizz offered discount tickets to people who had Malév reservations for 10thousand HUF (approximately 35 EUR) per ticket.
They have also announced that 2 new aircraft are to be stationed in Budapest. In addition, they are launching a new service to Bucharest and will increase the number of flights to existing destinations (e.g.: 3 daily flights to Luton, 2 daily to Charleroi and Eindhoven), increasing the number of flights to 129 from 67 per week. Source: http://www.airportal.hu/spotter-forum/v ... =32&t=6573

[Leadfoot]

Apparently, HA-LOK, HA-LOH and HA-LOU are airborne, leaving LHBP to EINN...

[Mikoyan]

The first three Malev aircraft has left Budapest on their way to Shannon and return to lessor.
http://www.flightradar24.com/MAH5200
http://www.flightradar24.com/MAH5212
http://www.flightradar24.com/MAH5224

[Paul Stam]

HA-LOK is now flying over Apeldoorn

[Michel]

And HA-LOD just departed BUD.

Edit: HA-LON, -LOJ, and -LOC departed BUD as well, while my Radarbox just picked up DHC8 HA-LQD.

[Derice]

[YS11]

Looks like most of the fleet is already going back to the lessor:

HA-LOK B738 MAH5200 LHBP-EINN STD1210L
HA-LOU B738 MAH5212 LHBP-EINN STD1225L
HA-LOH B738 MAH5224 LHBP-EINN STD1240L
HA-LOC B738 MAH5236 LHBP-EINN STD1255L
HA-LOM B738 MAH5248 LHBP-EINN STD1310L
HA-LOL B737 MAH5250 LHBP-EINN STD1325L
HA-LOS B737 MAH5300 LHBP-EINN STD1340L
HA-LOP B737 MAH5312 LHBP-EINN STD1355L
HA-LOR B737 MAH5336 LHBP-EINN STD1410L

according to Skyliner all a/c except LOA,LOB and LOI were flown to Shannon.

René

LOA-to TLV
LOB-to BUD
LOI-to DUB

According Skyliner

[cHabu]

according to Skyliner all a/c except LOA,LOB and LOI were flown to Shannon.

Is it fair to assume these three are owned by another leasing co. ?

[Leadfoot]

according to Skyliner all a/c except LOA,LOB and LOI were flown to Shannon.

Is it fair to assume these three are owned by another leasing co. ?

I believe all 737s were leased from the same company (ILFC). LOI remained in Dublin, and did not come "home", while LOA stuck in Tel Aviv after service was refused due to the uncertainty of payments.

All Malév Boeings scheduled for departure have left LHBP - HA-LOM took off last some 20 minutes ago. A Q400 will bring home the crews who flew the 737s to Shannon.

[Sjaak]

Right now on Fltrdr24 a long row of Malevs on their way from Hungary to Ireland. To be seen now are;

HA-LOM, LOE, LOG, LOS, LOL, LOF, LOC, LOJ, LON and LOD

A weird sight......