Silverjet airline suspends operations

Business-class only airline Silverjet said today it had suspended all operations with immediate effect after failing to secure new funding.

The group, which started in January 2007 and flies from Luton to New York and Dubai, has been trying to obtain £12.7 million under a deal agreed with a Middle Eastern investor.

The last service of Silverjet was the flight from Dubai to London Luton, which departed at 7.30am today.

The airline said: "Silverjet continues to be in discussions with investors interested in supporting the business of Silverjet, however it has yet to conclude such discussions to its satisfaction.

"It is with deep regret that the board of Silverjet has therefore decided that it must suspend operations with immediate effect."

UK carriers who operate the same routes as Silverjet said today they would try to help the airline's passengers.

A British Airways spokesman said: "We are looking to help in any way we can."

A spokesman for Sir Richard Branson's airline, Virgin Atlantic, said: "We are introducing special fares for Silverjet passengers which start at £299 one-way to New York and £179 one-way to Dubai."