Surinamese Airways cancels flights due to financial troubles

Financially troubled state-owned carrier, Surinamese Airways (SLM), has cancelled several flights leaving hundreds of passengers stranded at several destinations including Aruba, Curacao, the Netherlands and Miami.

The decision by the airline to cancel the flights comes even as the Suriname government says it is doing everything it can to save the airline.

Surinamese Airways is in debt of approximately US$75 million.

The Chan Santokhi government has blamed the financial state of the airline on years of mismanagement by the board and wrong investment decisions by previous governments.

The government, which is the airline's sole shareholder, wants to declare the company bankrupt.