MONTREAL — After two weeks of flight delays and cancellations, SkyGreece Airlines has finally surfaced with a statement that it “must temporarily cease all operations”.

The carrier said that shortly after launching scheduled international service in May, “SkyGreece suffered financial setbacks as a result of the Greek economic crisis. In spite of the resulting immediate and dramatic reduction in ticket sales, the company’s founders have worked tirelessly to maintain scheduled service. Unfortunately, as a result of recent technical issues, the company is now facing a system-wide multi-day delay and significant additional expenses”.

However, the carrier said it expects to resume operations soon and said passengers should contact their travel agent to arrange for alternate travel and/or accommodations.

Meanwhile, the Travel Industry Council of Ontario sent out an advisory saying that consumers who have purchased their SkyGreece Airlines S.A. travel services from a registered Ontario travel agency and who did not receive their travel services and have not been reimbursed may file a claim from the Ontario Travel Industry Compensation Fund.

“Consumers may request a claim form from TICO or consumers may also contact TICO directly at 1-888-451-8426 or 905-624-6241 or email: tico@tico.ca to request a claim form.”

TICO goes on to advise consumers who have paid by credit card and who have been charged by the airline should contact their credit card company and request a refund as well as request a claim form from TICO.

“Consumers who purchased their SkyGreece Airlines S.A. travel services from an out-of-province travel agency (i.e. a travel agency located outside the province of Ontario), there is no provision under Ontario Regulation 26/05 pursuant to the Travel Industry Act, 2002 for a consumer to claim on the Travel Compensation Fund when they have purchased travel services from an out-of-province travel agency. TICO can only recommend that you contact your travel agency for further assistance and/or your credit card company and request a refund, if applicable.

“Consumers who purchased their SkyGreece Airlines S.A. travel services directly from the airline, there is no provision under Ontario Regulation 26/05 pursuant to the Travel Industry Act, 2002 for a consumer to claim on the Travel Compensation Fund when they have purchased travel services directly from an airline.”