Refunds up in the air as helicopter firm goes bust

Iain Grindlay launched Lothian Helicopters as a sole trader in 1990

Lothian Helicopters yesterday announced that they had gone into administration after 20 years' navigating the skies above the Capital.

The company's website has been replaced with the message: "Please note Lothian Helicopters has gone into administration with effect from 11 May 2011."

An answer phone message on its reservation line now says: "Please contact your credit card provider for a refund for your flight voucher. Lothian Helicopters is no longer trading."

But one customer who booked a helicopter tour in April says she will have lost out on around 500 because her debit card payment would not be insured in the same way credit card transactions are.

Michele Millar, 47, said she was "shocked" to discover the firm was insolvent, having booked her trip only weeks before.

And she is fuming to have forked out 472 for a aerial tour that her family will never get to enjoy.

"I bought flights for my husband's 60th birthday and for my son and had it all booked in April," she said.

"But when I got the boarding passes they had the wrong dates on them so I'd been trying to contact Lothian Helicopters to get them changed.

"But instead of speaking to anyone there has been an automated answering machine message saying to contact my bank or credit card company because they have gone into administration. I have been speaking with them right up until the last week so this has come right out of the blue.

"I have a business myself and feel I have really been made a fool of here.

"I wouldn't dream of deceiving people in this manner.

"The worst thing is I booked this on my debit card so will not get a refund.

"I'm quite angry about all this because they would have known the trouble they were in when I booked."

Captain Iain Grindlay set up Lothian Helicopters as a sole trader in 1990, undertaking the dual role of lead pilot and company chief executive.

Customers were flown out on tours from helipads at Ingliston and Whitehill, in Dalkeith.

A posting on aviation website AVBuyer.com indicates Lothian Helicopters has been trying to sell a 430,000 Bell Helicopter 206-L1 since April 12.

No one from Lothian Helicopters was available for comment at the time of going to press.