Airline troubles fuel Mod anxiety

The budget airline suspended all flights on Thursday

Organisers of the Royal national Mod festival have warned the troubles of budget airline Zoom could severely disrupt this year's event.

The week-long Gaelic festival, to place in Falkirk from 10 October, is due to feature a large number of musicians from Canada.

Zoom, a UK-Canadian carrier, suspended all flights on Thursday due to financial problems.

About 10,000 people from across the world are due at the Falkirk event.

Following Zoom's announcement yesterday, thousands of passengers were stranded on both sides of the Atlantic.

'Short notice'

Those who have booked to fly with the airline in the coming months have been told to rebook with other carriers, and contact credit or debit card issuers about refunds.

Falkirk Mod convener Angus MacDonald said Gaelic speakers and performers at the event were due to fly from Nova Scotia, in Canada, with the airline.

He said: "This news is very disappointing, particularly as plans have been put in place for a number of high profile members of the Gaelic community in Canada to visit this year's Royal National Mod in Falkirk.

"It is hoped alternative arrangements can be made without too much difficulty.

Mr MacDonald said it was likely the Nova Scotian regional government officials would still make it to the Mod.

But he added: "My concerns are for the individual travellers and musicians who may well have relied on the low fares Zoom offered, and will find it very difficult to replace their ticket with a full commercial rate ticket with another airline, particularly at such short notice, with the Mod just a few weeks away."

The Mod, an annual showcase for traditional music, poetry and song, was first held in Oban in 1892.