UK-based wet-lease carrier Ascend Airways has surrendered its Air Operators Certificate (AOC) to the UK Civil Aviation Authority, effectively ending operations after just two years.
On April 28, 2026, accountants from Price Bailey announced the closure on behalf of the London Stansted-based airline, which operated on an ACMI basis for clients including TUI Airways, Oman Air, Air Sierra Leone, and SpiceJet. The carrier’s fleet of six Boeing 737 MAX 8s and one 737-800 has been returned to lessors immediately following the final flight, SYG187, which landed at Stansted from India aboard G-NOLA.
High jet fuel prices, driven by ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, were cited as a primary factor, creating volatility ahead of the summer season. According to Price Bailey, these pressures compounded challenges of operating a UK AOC in the European ACMI market, including a lack of reciprocal wet-leasing rights and higher costs compared to EU certificates. Reliability issues with CFM LEAP engines on the 737s also increased maintenance needs and reduced aircraft availability.
Ascend Airways, part of Avia Solutions Group, fulfilled all winter 2025/26 season obligations and managed an orderly wind-down to minimize disruption. The status of its 161 employees remains uncertain, though all were paid in full prior to the AOC surrender. A separate Ascend Airways Malaysia continues operations unaffected.