Hundreds of travellers left stranded following the collapse of Scottish low-fare airline Zoom will attempt to make their way home today.

The Scotland and Canada-based firm grounded all flights last night as they prepared to go into administration.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said there were about 4,500 UK passengers abroad and approximately 60,000 passengers with forward bookings with Zoom Airlines Limited and Zoom Airlines Inc.

The CAA added that its Air Travel Organisers' Licensing (ATOL) protection scheme does not cover customers who book flights directly with airlines such as Zoom.

It added that UK customers who were due to fly back to the UK were advised to make alternative arrangements with other airlines.

The CAA went on: "Customers with forward bookings who booked using a credit card are advised to contact their credit card company about refunds.

"Customers who paid by debit or charge card should contact their card company for advice about full or a partial refund where only part of the journey has been completed. Customers with travel insurance should check their policy to see whether any airline insolvency cover was provided."

The CAA added that UK customers who purchased air holiday packages which included Zoom Airlines flights or charter flights from a tour operator should contact their tour operator or travel agent about alternative travel arrangements.

Non-UK customers were advised to contact their home country's aviation/consumer protection organisation or their credit card company for advice and information about whether they are able to obtain refunds or assistance.

UK travel association Abta today called on the Government to require all airlines to provide financial protection for their customers "as the failure of Zoom yesterday has meant that many hundreds of customers are finding that they could be out of pocket or stranded today".

Abta chief executive Mark Tanzer said: "This failure in a tough economic climate, along with numerous other airline failures this year, highlights the importance of having financial protection in place when you book flights."

Zoom, which operated from Glasgow and four other UK airports, blamed its financial difficulties on a massive jump in fuel bills as a result of the high cost of oil.

Passengers on both sides of the Atlantic face spending hundreds on alternative flights to return home.

Zoom's cash crisis became apparent on Wednesday follow the grounding of a Zoom flight from Paris at Calgary airport in Canada.

Glasgow airport was yesterday instructed by the UK's Civil Aviation Authority to detain a Halifax-bound flight over the non-payment of charges.

Passengers also began queueing for a later flight to Vancouver which never left the ground.

Travellers were told of the company's collapse as they continued to wait into the evening.

Zoom, founded by brothers John and Hugh Boyle, from Hamilton, said it had attempted to secure a re-financing package that would have kept its aircraft flying.

But the owners issued an apology to both travellers and its more than 600 staff after failing to strike a deal.

The airline is based at Gatwick and employs around 450 staff in Canada and 260 in the UK.

The Boyle brothers said tonight: "It is a tragic day for our passengers and more than 600 staff.

"We are desperately sorry for the inconvenience and disappointment that this will cause passengers and those who have booked flights."

Passengers due to fly with Zoom were sent email messages explaining what had happened and suggesting other airlines that customers could use.

Journalist Elizabeth Mavor was due to fly from Gatwick to Montreal with Zoom on September 19.

Ms Mavor, from north-west London, said today: "I had flown with Zoom before and they were great. It had never occurred to me that anything could go wrong. I had no inkling they were in trouble.

"I paid for my ticket with a credit card and I will have to wait beyond September 19 to get any money back. Now I'm trying to find an alternative airline."

Canadian Affair, the UK's largest tour operator to Canada, said today it was operating additional flights to and from Canada to help Zoom passengers.

The company has already managed to rebook more than 3,000 passengers and will run an additional flight next Monday (September 1) from Toronto to London and from London to Toronto on Tuesday (September 2).

Further flights will be added during the course of today.