Flights low note for male choir

The choir have been planning the trip to Canada for two years Airport to seek Canadian flights

A male voice choir due to tour north America to mark its centenary fears it may be grounded after Zoom airlines suspended all its flights.

Llandybie Male Voice Choir from Carmarthenshire had booked 139 seats on a flight to Toronto from Cardiff.

Members and supporters had saved over £150,000 during the last two years for the "once in a lifetime" trip that was to include New York and Washington DC.

Choir secretary Keith Jones said: "I think we need a miracle now."

The transatlantic budget carrier has suspended all flights and is applying to go into administration.

Thousands of passengers have been told to rebook with other carriers, and to contact credit or debit card issuers about refunds.

But Mr Jones said the logistical problem of trying to find alternative flights for such a large group put the tour in doubt.

"It's a bit early to say but there are a lot of disappointed people," he added.

"We are not sure where we go from here."

The party, drawn largely from the Amman Valley area, was due to depart from Cardiff for Toronto on 22 September and return on the same route on 5 October.

The 39 singers were due to perform one concert near Niagara Falls and one in Philadelphia, USA, after getting a bus.

They also had trips planned to New York and Washington DC.

Mr Jones said they had paid £33,000 for the flights alone.

"It's our centenary year and this was part of the celebrations," he added.

"We were all looking forward to this - it's a trip of a lifetime.

"I've been very busy this morning answering the phone. We have been in touch with the underwriters.

"It's a bit early to say but I think we need a miracle now to be honest."