AIR COMES THE BRIDE.. Bookie gives couple free bet if airline GOES BUST.

Byline: BY DEMELZA de BURCA

A YOUNG couple's dream wedding in Spain next month could become a nightmare after bookies made the airline they are flying with second favourite to go bust next.

Clinton O'Beirne, 26, and Michelle Henshaw, 27, are booked to go to the Costa del Sol with Spanair for their wedding on October 8.

But Paddy Power have given the Spanish airline odds of 11-4 to be the next carrier to go under after Zoom, Futura and XL Airways.

Clinton, from Blanchardstown, Dublin, got in touch with Paddy Power to "hedge his bets" by backing Spanair to go bust.

But instead of taking his money the bookie gave him a free bet of U100 at enhanced odds of 25-1 if the airline collapses before the wedding. Clinton said yesterday: "Fair play to Paddy, if it does go bust we will pocket U2,600.

"But it could still be a nightmare for us as our whole wedding party, 18 family members, are booked with Spanair. We have planned a beautiful wedding in Benalmadena and will be gutted if everyone can't be there."

Generous bookie Paddy Power said: "My heart went out for this couple. They are two very decent, genuine people and the last thing they need is for their airline to go belly up and ruin their wedding."

My heart went out for this couple. They are two decent people, the last thing they need is for the airline to go belly up and ruin the wedding

PADDY POWER YESTERDAY

Who could be next..

11-10 Alitalia

11-4 Spanair

5-1 SkyEurope

5-1 FlyGlobespan

6-1 Air Berlin

12-1 Wizz Air

16-1 Jet2

16-1 Sterling

25-1 United Airlines

25-1 Scandinavian

Airlines

28-1 Aer Arann 

33-1 JetBlue

33-1 Bmibaby

33-1 Malev

33-1 Clickair

33-1 Vueling Airlines 

500-1 Vatican Airlines

1000-1 Air Force One

CAPTION(S):

POWER TO YOU Couple and Paddy, right, at Spanish Embassy yesterday; TRAVEL PLANS Couple booked with Spanair