Flybe closes for good: Travellers warned not to travel to airports

Some 75,000 passengers have been directly impacted by Flybe’s announcement it had fallen into administration – including 2,000 who were due to fly out today.

And 277 of the 321-strong workforce are also now out of a job, after the regional carrier cancelled all flights effective immediately.

The announcement sparked travel misery for 2,000 passengers preparing to board a flight today. Many only received emails in the early hours this morning, while others learned of the decision while they were already en route to the airport.

A Flybe spokesperson and the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said would-be travellers should not make their way to the airport if they have a flight scheduled. 

‘Please do not travel to the airport unless you have arranged an alternative flight with another airline,’ the spokesperson said.

The airline will not arrange alternative flights or travel plans for impacted passengers. 

Of the 321 staff who had jobs just yesterday, only 44 have been retained to assist administrators with duties.

This is one of the last Flybe planes to take off – flying out of Heathrow on Friday night

Regional carrier Flybe has cancelled all flights into and out of the UK this morning – sparking travel misery for passengers as the airline is plunged into administration

Three early Flybe flights from Belfast, two from Birmingham and two from Amsterdam were all showing as ‘scheduled on time’ on Flybe’s online flight status live tracker at 5am. But the CAA urged ticket-holders to instead check its website for the latest information

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It took several hours for flight status trackers to catch up with the announcement, prompting even further confusion as early Flybe flights were listed as ‘scheduled on time’ this morning. 

But the CAA urged ticket-holders to instead check its website for the latest information.

Blindsided customers feel as though they’ve been left in the lurch this morning.

A spokesperson for the insolvency firm confirmed to MailOnline that customers were able to book flights and services as late as 11pm last night – just four hours before joint administrators were appointed.

One woman said she purchased luggage for her Flybe flight shortly before the announcement, while another only purchased her flight yesterday. 

Another said: ‘My daughter due to fly back to university today. You allowed me to book extras yesterday and take my money. The second time this has happened. What utter, utter scumbags.’ 

The spokesperson defended this situation, while acknowledging customers would no doubt ‘feel angry and frustrated about this’.

‘Unfortunately, this is a conundrum faced by many businesses faced with possible insolvency,’ the spokesperson said.

‘Due to the ongoing discussions that were taking place with interested parties regarding a potential sale of the business, it was not possible to inform customers of the potential insolvency proceedings before the appointment of administrators. 

‘Any announcement about the possibility that the sales process might not ultimately be successful and thus imply the potential for insolvency proceedings would have been both premature and, unavoidably, self-fulfilling. Making such a statement would also have irreparably harmed trading and risked exposing the fleet to arrest by creditors.’ 

It comes after Flybe returned to the skies in April following an earlier collapse.

The airline first announced it would cease in March 2020, costing 2,400 employees their jobs as the Covid pandemic ravaged the tourism sector. 

It returned with a plan to operate up to 530 flights per week across 23 routes, serving airports such as Belfast City, Birmingham, East Midlands, Glasgow, Heathrow and Leeds Bradford.

Customers have been blindsided by the sudden announcement

CAA consumer director Paul Smith 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.’

The airline also confirmed the ‘sad’ move, noting that administrators had been brought in.

‘We are sad to announce that Flybe has been placed into administration,’ Flybe tweeted.

‘David Pike and Mike Pink of Interpath have been appointed administrators. Flybe has now ceased trading. All Flybe flights from and to the UK are cancelled and will not be rescheduled.’

Today, a Flybe spokesperson and the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said would-be travellers should not make their way to the airport if they have a flight scheduled 

Before it went bust it flew the most UK domestic routes between airports outside London.

Its business and assets were purchased in April 2021 by Thyme Opco, which is linked to US hedge fund Cyrus Capital.

Thyme Opco was renamed Flybe Limited. It had been based at Birmingham Airport.

The Government said that its ‘immediate priority’ would be to support anyone trying to get home and those who have lost their jobs.

‘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,’ a spokesperson said.

‘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.’

Matthew Hall, chief executive of Belfast City Airport, 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.”