Questions have been raised about individuals involved in what was heralded as the reincarnation of defunct Monarch Airlines (1968) (London Luton) after the company announced it ran out of money, and the chairman resigned barely two weeks after announcing the brand's return.
Last week, the company announced with "immense regret" that it was "forced to put the brakes on our process to relaunch Monarch". "This is not a decision that we have taken lightly; however, since taking over the business two weeks ago, we have drawn close to exhausted the start-up funding provided to us far more rapidly than anticipated. We have been seeking alternative routes, such as partial divestment of share capital, and will continue to do so; however, at the current stage, there is no practical option to move forward in the immediate future."
Company spokesman John Pemberton emailed the following statement: "We have been approached with new options to continue launching Monarch Airlines (London Luton). We hope to bring more positive news to you shortly, however, this could take several weeks or months. We are working tirelessly and will continue to do so."
Since then, his email address has been discontinued, while the website and all social media presence of Pemberton and chairman Daniel Ellingham have been removed.
Then, Head for Points travel news site revealed that Ellingham had posted a manipulated profile photograph on his LinkedIn page - since removed - actually portraying a US politician, John Driscoll, who ran for the US Senate in Montana in 2020. "Have we been taken for a ride by the new Monarch Airlines?" the site asked.
Companies House records show that Ellingham, on August 18, resigned from Flymonarch Limited, which is listed as dissolved. However, he became Monarch Airlines Limited and Monarch Holidays Limited director on the same day. The status of both companies remains active. They are supposedly located at 960 Capability Green, Luton, England, LU1 3PE, the address of an office space rental agency.
A spokeswoman for the UK Civil Aviation Authority confirmed to ch-aviation that Monarch Airlines never submitted an application for an air operator's certificate (AOC).
The original Monarch Airlines went into administration on October 2, 2017, after the company failed to renew its Air Travel Organiser's Licence. The airline's administration was concluded almost two and a half years ago. Its insolvency administrators informed ch-aviation that agents were engaged to assist with marketing and realising the intellectual property, brand, and intangible assets of Monarch Holdings Limited. "Whilst these assets were realised for value in February 2018, I'm afraid I do not have the details as to who the purchasers were," a spokeswoman said.
Earlier, when questioned by ch-aviation, Ellingham, via his spokesman Pemberton, failed to disclose the identities of any investors, nor could he comment on capital. He also declined to discuss the transfer of Monarch branding rights.
He claimed the company was exploring "all available financing options for fifteen A319-100 and A320-200 with a strategic UK partner, aiming to target underserved leisure routes from London Luton to North Africa and Gibraltar.
