By Debbie Kerr

A DUNDEE war veteran has been forced to shell out hundreds of pounds to salvage his trip to Canada following the collapse of low-fares airline Zoom.

Alistair Urquhart, of Broughty Ferry, was due to fly to Ottawa next week to visit family and friends and celebrate his 89th birthday with a family party.

During his time away, Mr Urquhart had also planned to travel to San Francisco to visit the submarine that had sunk his ship during the second world war.

However, the pensioner was dismayed to discover his trip was in jeopardy after reading the airline had gone into administration.

He said, “I read the news in the paper and I was absolutely shocked, especially because I was also a victim of losing money when Flywhoosh collapsed.

“I got an Email the next morning from Zoom saying they were sorry but all the flights had been cancelled and to apply to your credit or debit card companies.

“I booked my tickets on June 4 to go across to Canada to visit my daughter who lives there.

“We are then going to travel down to San Francisco together so all in all I will be there for around five weeks.

“We are travelling there to take part in a very special historical occasion as there happens to be an American submarine from World War II on Fisherman’s Wharf there called USS Pampanito.”

He continued, “That submarine sank the Japanese ship I was on in South China seas exactly 64 years ago, where I was among 900 prisoners of war.

“There was a big loss of life but I survived in the ocean on a raft for five days and was then picked up by a Japanese whaling ship.”

Thankfully Mr Urquhart was able to salvage his trip by booking last minute on to another airline but has been left with a hefty bill to cover the cost of another plane ticket.

Zoom, which operated from five UK airports, blamed its difficulties on a massive jump in fuel bills as a result of the high cost of oil.

The company, founded by Scottish brothers John and Hugh Boyle, has advised customers who paid by debit or charge card to contact their card companies to find out whether they are entitled to a full or partial refund.

Despite the advice, Mr Urquhart said he was sceptical as to whether he would see his money again.

He continued, “I will have to wait and see if I will get money back from the debit card company. I kept all of my booking references and print-outs to see.”

A spokesman from Zoom Airlines said, “Our advice to passengers is to contact their debit or credit card companies as only they can ascertain the level of compensation for their customers.

“We sincerely apologise that people such as Mr Urquhart find themselves in this situation and can only say that every effort was made to prevent this situation from occurring.

Zoom Airlines estimate that around 40,000 passengers who have made bookings with the airline over the next year—the majority of which are for 2009 departures—will be affected.