Slovakia-based low-cost airline SkyEurope has declared bankruptcy, shortly before midnight on August 31 2009. Earlier in the day, SkyEurope canceled 12 flights bound for a variety of destinations from the airport in Bratislava The Ruzyne Prague airport said on August 31 that it would halt all the flights of the airline as of September 1 due to unpaid debts of the airline. According to the SkyEurope website, the company has suspended its sales and operations immediately.

Passengers who purchased flights with credit card were advised to turn to the credit card issuing bank to seek refunds. However, for those who have paid directly to SkyEurope by bank transfer or cash refund may not be possible, SkyEurope said in its release.

After securing court protection from its creditors in June, the company has found a new investor and a €5-million loan. The Austrian investment group Focus Equity’s decision to get involved in the ailing airline instantly boosted confidence in SkyEurope, which also managed to extend its commercial operating licence.

At midnight on August 14, however, Vienna Airport stopped servicing SkyEurope flights because of what the airport said were outstanding invoices. Earlier that week, Vienna Airport had granted SkyEurope a grace period to settle its unpaid invoices.

Back in June 2009, a Bratislava district court granted SkyEurope Airlines temporary protection from its creditors. At the same time, the company’s planes encountered problems obtaining permission to leave some French, Bulgarian and Romanian airports amid reports of unpaid airport fees.