Airline administration LATEST: Major company cancels all flights and 277 employees sacked
FLYBE passengers have been told to not go to the airport as the regional carrier went into administration and cancelled all its flights.
The airline posted on Twitter saying: "We are sad to announce that Flybe has been placed into administration.
"David Pike and Mike Pink of Interpath have been appointed administrators. Regretfully, Flybe has now ceased trading.
"All Flybe flights from and to the UK are cancelled and will not be rescheduled."
reported that 277 employees have been given the sack while another 44 were retained.
CAA Consumer Director Paul Smith advised travellers to visit the Civil Aviation Authority's website and keep up to date with Flybe's Twitter feed for more information.
Read our Flybe live blog below for the latest updates and travel information...
Belfast City Airport chief executive on Flybe’s ceasing
Before Flybe went bust in 2020, it generated around 80% of Belfast City Airport’s flights.
Recently, it made up 14% of the flight and the chief executive of Belfast City Airport, Matthew Hall, spoke about the collapse Flybe suffers once again.
He said: “First and foremost, our thoughts are with Flybe employees and passengers affected by this disappointing and unexpected news.
“Passengers booked on Flybe flights should not travel to the airport and should seek further advice from the Civil Aviation Authority.
“Flybe operated 10 flights to and from Belfast City, eight of which are currently served by other carriers from our airport.
“Alternative travel to Birmingham; Glasgow; Leeds-Bradford; London Heathrow, Amsterdam; Edinburgh; Manchester; and Southampton can be arranged through Aer Lingus, KLM, British Airways and Loganair which operates flights to Teesside International from Belfast City Airport.”
Belfast City Airport looking to continue routes with other airlines
East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson spoke with the PA news agency about how Belfast City Airport are working hard on discussions to continue routes with other airlines.
He said: “I have spoken with representatives of Belfast City Airport this morning. I understand that news of Flybe’s announcement came as much as a surprise to them as it did to the pilots, cabin crew and members of the travelling public.
“Already the airport are engaged in discussions about ensuring the routes continue through other airlines. Our thoughts today must remain with all of those affected.”
Flybe’s staff situation
Sky News reported that it understands that 277 staff has been let go by Flybe out of 321.
It further reported that “the remaining 44 have been retained.”
What did Flybe say on Twitter?
Flybe issued a statement on Twitter on Saturday morning which said that David Pike and Mike Pink were appointed as Joint Administrator of Flybe Limited.
It confirmed that it ceased trading and it cancelled all flights and none will be rescheduled.
The statement added: “We are sad to announce that Flybe has been placed into administration.”
What to do if you paid for your flight with a credit card
If you’ve paid for your Flybe flight via a credit card and it cost more then £100, under Section 75 of the Consumer Rights Act you can get a refund.
Contact your card provider to get guidance on how to proceed.
Meanwhile, those who paid with a debit card should contact their bank.
What to do if you’re on holiday
If you’re abroad, check whether your flight is ATOL-protected.
ATOL is run by the government and by the CAA.
It’s a scheme created to ensure that customers don’t lose money or end up stranded abroad if an airline goes bust.
But ATOL protection doesn’t come automatically with your booking and it normally only covers packaged holidays.
Help from easyJet
easyJet is offering £49 flights for domestic routes and ones that cost £79 for international destinations.
Customers can also carry on a 15kg hold bag, as long as they show their original Flybe booking reference.
This offer is available to Flybe customer until February 10.
If you’re affected, call easyJet on the following numbers:
- If calling from UK & elsewhere: +44 (0) 330 5515151
- In calling from France: +33 (0) 9 77407770
- If calling from the Netherlands: +31 (0) 20 7946405
- If calling from Italy: +39 02 32068889
Help from British Airways
British Airways are offering one-way fares that cost £50 (plus taxes, fees and charges) on selected routes to those who got stranded at the airport this morning.
They’re offering flights between London and Belfast, Newcastle or Amsterdam.
Make your booking by calling the British Airways contact centre on 0344 493 0787.
Ryanair aiding stranded passengers with cheap flights
Ryanair is releasing cheap flights to those Flybe customers who were left stranded after the company went bust.
Ryanair’s Dara Brady said: “As the UK and Europe’s no.1 airline for low fares and reliability, Ryanair is once again saving the day with rescue fares from just £29.99 to accommodate customers affected by Flybe’s sudden cancellation of its entire UK schedule.
“These rescue fares are available to book now only on Ryanair.com.”
Passengers stranded in airports
A Flybe spokesperson told The Sun: “Flybe customers who still need to travel, will need to make their own alternative travel arrangements via other airlines, rail or coach operators.”
Passengers fumed over social media as many are stranded in places such as Geneva and doesn’t have enough cash to cover the costs of further travelling.
Another said: “Stranded at Heathrow after we were told we’d been rebooked on a new flight this morning!”
Flybe goes into administration
The regional airline confirmed over Twitter that it has gone it has ceased trading and cancelled all its flights to and from the UK.
Passengers were warned that Flybe won’t be able to arrange any alternative flights.
Travellers were advised to keep up-to-date with the airline’s Twitter page and check the Civil Aviation Authority website for more information.
easyJet price increase
Easter flights are also costing more - rising by 24 per cent compared to pre-pandemic.
The easyJet boss said: "We have seen strong and sustained demand for travel over the first quarter, carrying almost 50 per cent more customers compared with last year.
"Many returned to make bookings during the traditional turn of year sale where we filled five aircraft every minute in the peak hours, which culminated in three record-breaking weekends for sales revenue this month."
Manchester airport offers advice
Manchester airport earlier released a statement following the announcement that Flybe had entered administration.
The said: "Any passengers booked with Flybe who have not yet started their journey should not travel to the airport unless they have made alternative arrangements.
"For further information passengers should visit www.caa.co.uk/news .
Who owns Flybe?
Flybe was bought by a consortium headed by Virgin Atlantic, Stobart Group and Cyprus Capital in 2019.
Around 2,000 people were hired by the company at the time, as it aimed to save loads of jobs through investment.
However, it has been faced with a number of problems such as less demand, rising fuel costs and the weakening of the pound which all contributed to Flybe going bust.
Belfast City Airport chief executive on Flybe's ceasing
Before Flybe went bust in 2020, it generated around 80% of Belfast City Airport's flights.
Recently, it made up 14% of the flight and the chief executive of Belfast City Airport, Matthew Hall, spoke about the collapse Flybe suffers once again.
He said: "First and foremost, our thoughts are with Flybe employees and passengers affected by this disappointing and unexpected news.
“Passengers booked on Flybe flights should not travel to the airport and should seek further advice from the Civil Aviation Authority.
“Flybe operated 10 flights to and from Belfast City, eight of which are currently served by other carriers from our airport.
“Alternative travel to Birmingham; Glasgow; Leeds-Bradford; London Heathrow, Amsterdam; Edinburgh; Manchester; and Southampton can be arranged through Aer Lingus, KLM, British Airways and Loganair which operates flights to Teesside International from Belfast City Airport.”
Belfast City Airport looking to continue routes with other airlines
East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson spoke with the PA news agency about how Belfast City Airport are working hard on discussions to continue routes with other airlines.
He said: "I have spoken with representatives of Belfast City Airport this morning. I understand that news of Flybe’s announcement came as much as a surprise to them as it did to the pilots, cabin crew and members of the travelling public.
"Already the airport are engaged in discussions about ensuring the routes continue through other airlines. Our thoughts today must remain with all of those affected.”
Help from easyJet
easyJet is offering £49 flights for domestic routes and ones that cost £79 for international destinations.
Customers can also carry on a 15kg hold bag, as long as they show their original Flybe booking reference.
This offer is available to Flybe customer until February 10.
If you're affected, call easyJet on the following numbers:
- If calling from UK & elsewhere: +44 (0) 330 5515151
- In calling from France: +33 (0) 9 77407770
- If calling from the Netherlands: +31 (0) 20 7946405
- If calling from Italy: +39 02 32068889
Help from Ryanair
Ryanair is offering £29.99 flights to Flybe customers that were affected by this morning's cancellations.
Routes include Belfast to East Midlands, Manchester and London Stansted.
These flights will all be on sale on Ryanair.com from Sunday, March 26, 2023.
Help from British Airways
British Airways are offering one-way fares that cost £50 (plus taxes, fees and charges) on selected routes to those who got stranded at the airport this morning.
They're offering flights between London and Belfast, Newcastle or Amsterdam.
Make your booking by calling the British Airways contact centre on 0344 493 0787.
What the government said on the closing of Flybe
The government issued a statement on the struggle airlines are facing every year since the Covid-19 pandemic.
It said: "This remains a challenging environment for airlines, both old and new, as they recover from the pandemic, and we understand the impact this will have on Flybe's passengers and staff.
"Our immediate priority is to support people travelling home and employees who have lost their jobs. The Civil Aviation Authority is providing advice to passengers to help them make their journeys as smoothly and affordably as possible.
"The majority of destinations served by Flybe are within the UK with alternative transport arrangements available. We recognise that this is an uncertain time for affected employees and their families.
"Jobcentre Plus, through its Rapid Response Service, stands ready to support any employee affected."
Flybe was previously put into administration again
This isn't the first time Flybe faced administration as in March 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic sent it bust.
Business returned in April 2021 by Thyme Opco which was renamed Flybe Limited.
It opened its base in Birmingham airport and started operation 530 flights per week across 23 routes.
It served airports across the UK such as in Belfast City, East Midlands, Glasgow, Heathrow and Leeds Bradford.
Flybe's staff situation
Sky News reported that it understands that 277 staff has been let go by Flybe out of 321.
It further reported that "the remaining 44 have been retained."
What did CAA consumer director Paul smith say?
CAA consumer director Paul Smit was saddened to see Flybe close all its operations.
He said: "It is always sad to see an airline enter administration and we know that Flybe's decision to stop trading will be distressing for all of its employees and customers.
"We urge passengers planning to fly with this airline not to go to the airport as all Flybe flights are cancelled. For the latest advice, Flybe customers should visit the Civil Aviation Authority's website or our Twitter feed for more information."
Ryanair aiding stranded passengers with cheap flights
Ryanair is releasing cheap flights to those Flybe customers who were left stranded after the company went bust.
Ryanair’s Dara Brady said: “As the UK and Europe’s no.1 airline for low fares and reliability, Ryanair is once again saving the day with rescue fares from just £29.99 to accommodate customers affected by Flybe’s sudden cancellation of its entire UK schedule.
"These rescue fares are available to book now only on Ryanair.com.”
What did Flybe say on Twitter?
Flybe issued a statement on Twitter on Saturday morning which said that David Pike and Mike Pink were appointed as Joint Administrator of Flybe Limited.
It confirmed that it ceased trading and it cancelled all flights and none will be rescheduled.
The statement added: "We are sad to announce that Flybe has been placed into administration."