DAYS AFTER unveiling a new colour scheme, the second coming of Monarch Airlines came to an abrupt halt. In a statement, the carrier said it was “with immense regret” that it had been “forced to put the brakes on” its return after exhausting its funding "far more rapidly than anticipated" and leaving it with no practical option to move forward in the immediate future.
With a pledge "to usher in a new era for one of the UK's favourite travel brands,” Monarch’s somewhat optimistic return was first announced across social media in mid-August. Under appointed director Daniel Ellingham’s leadership, the airline planned to be back in the skies by mid-2024, utilising a fleet of Airbus A319 and A320s sourced from a UK partner. Discussions had reportedly begun with several UK airports into the launch of operations. The airline had planned to focus on sustainability while offering a more premium product than its rivals.