Hundreds of passengers have been left stranded at Belfast, Cardiff and Glasgow airports, and at airports in Canada, after the collapse of transatlantic budget airline, Zoom.
Passengers have been told to re-book with other carriers and to contact credit card companies about refunds.
Zoom said its problems were caused by what it called the horrendous price of fuel and the economic slowdown.
The UK and Canada-based firm grounded all flights last night as it prepared to go into administration.
Zoom, which operated from five airports in Britain and Northern Ireland, blamed its financial difficulties on a massive jump in fuel bills as a result of the high cost of oil.
Passengers on both sides of the Atlantic face buying alternative flights to return home.
Zoom's cash crisis became apparent on Wednesday follow the grounding of a Zoom flight from Paris at Calgary airport in Canada.
Airline employed around 700 staff
Glasgow Airport was yesterday instructed by the UK's Civil Aviation Authority to detain a Halifax-bound Zoom flight over the non-payment of charges.
Passengers also began queuing for a later flight to Vancouver which never left the ground. They were told of the company's collapse as they waitrf into the evening.
Zoom, which was founded by Scottish brothers John and Hugh Boyle, said it had attempted to secure a re-financing package that would have kept its aircraft flying.
But the owners issued an apology to both passengers and its more than 600 staff after failing to strike a deal.
The airline is based at Gatwick and employs around 450 staff in Canada and 260 in the UK.
The Boyle brothers said last night: 'It is a tragic day for our passengers and more than 600 staff.
'We are desperately sorry for the inconvenience and disappointment that this will cause passengers and those who have booked flights.'
