Play Airlines, the Icelandic low-cost carrier that offered flights from Boston Logan International and other airports nationwide, abruptly shut down earlier this week, stranding some unlucky travelers.
The company, which landed in Boston three years ago promising cheap flights to Iceland and connections to major capitals in Europe, filed for bankruptcy and officially canceled all of its flights on Monday.
In a statement that day, the board of directors blamed the sudden closure on continuing performance problems, internal discontent, and poor ticket sales “following negative media coverage of its operations.”
“Thousands of passengers will need to reorganize their return journeys, around 400 people will lose their jobs, and the company’s partners will suffer losses,” the board continued. “This decision is the most painful one imaginable in this situation and has only been taken because all other options were deemed exhausted.”
Travelers who were set to fly with the budget carrier have been left scrambling.
Play advised those affected to rebook with other airlines, noting some may provide “rescue fares” — discounted tickets offered to those left stranded due to the collapse of a competitor — “considering the circumstances.”
For refunds, Play said passengers who bought their ticket with a credit or debit card should contact their bank. Those who booked through a travel agency should contact their agent.
The news that the Iceland-based airline was shuttering arrived just months after the company announced in June it was ceasing operations to the United States in October. The last flight from Boston took off in September.
Play launched in 2021 after WOW, another Iceland-based low-fare carrier, went out of business. But Play too struggled, and a revised business model introduced last fall wasn’t enough to save it, the board said.
“We are deeply sorry for the disruption this causes and thank you for your understanding,” the airline said.
Shannon Larson can be reached at shannon.larson@globe.com. Follow her @shannonlarson98.