Airline in difficulty leaves China passengers stranded at Liège

Hundreds of passengers flying from Belgium to China have had to make alternative arrangements after they were left stranded in Liège when their airline halted all flights due to financial difficulties.

Russian carrier VIM Airlines has grounded all of its planes since Monday. Some 341 travellers spent Monday night in Liège airport, having waited since 11.00 that morning for news about their flight.

Paramedics attended the scene to provide medical support to some passengers - and representatives from the Chinese embassy were also on hand.

A Liège airport spokesman said all passengers had found alternative flights from Brussels or Amsterdam by Tuesday afternoon. About 1,000 passengers had been due to fly to or from Liège on VIM this week.

Russian media say the airline has struggled to keep on top of its debts, faced with increased operating costs including the price of fuel.

Chinese tour operator U-Tour has chartered a flight from Liège on Saturday to help passengers get home. Four more return flights will operate next week, after which there will be no flights to China from Liège until further notice.