Hundreds stranded by airline

Hundreds of travellers have been left stranded, trying to find other ways to complete their journeys, after budget transatlantic airline Zoom collapsed. The carrier has suspended all flights after running into financial difficulties it blames on the "horrendous" price of fuel and the global economic downturn.

Two planes were stopped from flying on runways at Glasgow and Cardiff after the news came through. Passengers have been told to re-book with other airlines, and BA and Virgin Atlantic are offering "special" rates to those affected.

Zoom has been flying since 2001, and offered eight destinations in Canada, as well as New York, San Diego, Fort Lauderdale and Bermuda. Zoom's co-founders Hugh and John Boyle said they "deeply regretted" the cancellations. They added: "We are desperately sorry for the inconvenience and disappointment that this will cause passengers and those who have booked flights."