Another budget airline shuts down operations

Yet another budget airline has gone out of business, leaving unwitting passengers stranded.

Icelandic low-cost airline Play has abruptly shut down, travel news hub Travel Mole reports.

That has led to thousands of stranded passengers as its entire flight network was cancelled.

The airline issued a message to customers saying: “Fly PLAY has ceased operations, and all flights have been cancelled. We kindly advise you to check flights with other airlines. Some carriers may offer special ‘rescue fares’ considering the circumstances.”

Customers were advised to contact their credit card issuers and travel agents to file for refunds.

The airline has offered Europe-wide flights and transatlantic services.

Keflavik Airport in Reykjavik said the sudden news impacted about 1,750 passengers at the airport.

Play flights to Baltimore, Barcelona and Lisbon were cancelled, as well as inbound services from Paris, London and Copenhagen.

More than 500 employees are likely to be made redundant.

Play, launched in 2021, had a 10-plane fleet and carried about 1.6 million passengers in 2024.

So you want to Play? Hard.

Anyone travelling in Europe and wanting to get to the US on a budget might like to make note of Icelandic low-cost airline Play, which could be on the way to becoming a major player.

Play will launch flight between Glasgow and Keflavik in Iceland in May, adding to a fast-growing list of destinations.

The route between Glasgow International and Keflavik marks the airline’s first Scottish route and ticket sales are now open at www.flyplay.com.

Glasgow flights launch on May 26, 2023, and offer US connections.

Play will soon offer four US destinations: Newburgh in New York State, Boston, Baltimore/Washington and Washington Dulles. It will also fly to Hamilton, Canada, from June.

Flights between Glasgow and Keflavik start from £69 ($AU125) one-way, with US flights starting at £169.

Play will operate four flights per week over the northern summer months, Travel Mole reports.

CEO Birgir Jónsson said: “In January 2023, Brits made up the largest percentage of tourists to Iceland.”

Play's routes to and from Paris and London had an impressive load factor of over 90% in February. 

The airline was founded in 2019 and has been flying for around 20 months. It serves several European destinations from Keflavik.