Primera Air has ceased all operations after a failed long-haul expansion drove the company out of business.

The budget carrier had a fleet of 15 aircraft and predominantly flew Scandinavian holidaymakers to resorts in Spain, Greece, Italy, Egypt and Turkey.

However, earlier this year it launched long-haul services from the United Kingdom to destinations in North America.

Services to Washington, Newark, and Toronto in the United States and Canada were unveiled from Stansted in London over the past 12 months, but all have now ceased.

It appears the move to a low-cost long-haul model did not pay off for the airline.

Problems began to appear earlier this year when Primera cancelled services from Birmingham.

At the time in blamed the late arrival of deliveries from Airbus for the decision.

“On this sad day we are saying goodbye to all of you,” the carrier said in a statement on its website earlier.

Primera said its IATA codes, PF and 6F, had been suspended as of today, October 2nd.

The Danish-registered airline - which started in 2003 as a charter provider – said phone and email contact would no longer be possible.

Tour operator passengers were urged to contact agents for further information.

However, the carrier was not part of the ATOL Protection scheme offed by the CAA.

This only covers passengers booked on package holidays.

The regulator has consequently advised passengers who have travelled on an outward Primera flight they will need to make their own arrangements to return to the UK.

Those who have booked directly with the airline on future flights will also not be covered.

Passengers who used either a credit, charge or debit card may be able to make a claim against their card provider, the CAA said.