Spanish government to sue airline
The Spanish government is taking legal action against the airline which shut down and left thousands of passengers stranded.
The action against Spanair is for alleged violation of Spain's aviation regulations.
Spanair left an estimated 22,000 passengers who booked seats with the company scrambling for alternative travel arrangements when it closed down due to lack of funding.
Development minister Ana Pastor said legal proceedings could see a £7.5 million fine for the company over two "serious infringements" of aviation security legislation relating to obligations which are linked to continued service and the protection of passengers.
Barcelona airport was the hub of the airline, which employed around 2,000 people and utilised around 1,200 ground staff.
Spanair, owned by a consortium based in north-eastern Catalonia, failed to attract inward investment so the regional government stopped its funding, said its chairman Ferran Soriano.
Copyright Press Association 2012



