Flybe made an official announcement just after 3 am that the airline was going out of business and all the future flights on the Exeter-based airlines have been cancelled. The collapse has left more than 2,300 staff facing an uncertain future and wrecking the travel plans of hundreds of thousands of passengers.
A text was sent to passengers who booked for Thursday at 2 am that all Flybe and Stobart Air operated flights have been cancelled with immediate effect.
They were suggested not to travel to the airport as their flight will not be operating but those booked to travel on a Blue Islands or Eastern Airways operated flights are still expected to operate.
The chief executive, Mark Anderson mentioned that Europe’s largest independent regional airline has been unable to overcome significant funding challenges to its business. This was compounded by the outbreak of coronavirus which in the last few days has resulted in a significant impact on demand.
For four decades Flybe has been a key part of the UK aviation industry, connecting regional communities, people and businesses across the entire nation.
A government spokesperson stated that have asked bus and train operators to accept Flybe tickets and other airlines to offer reduced rescue fares to ensure passengers can make their journeys as smooth as possible.
This will be a worrying time for Flybe staff and their Jobcentre Plus Rapid Response Service stands ready to help them find a new job as soon as possible.
They were working closely with industry to minimise any disruption to routes operated by Flybe, including by looking urgently at how routes not already covered by other airlines can be re-established by the industry.
According to Richard Moriarty, chief executive of the Civil Aviation Authority it was a sad day for UK aviation and they knew that Flybe’s decision to stop trading will be very distressing for all of its employees and customers.
By a consortium headed by Virgin Atlantic, the Exeter-based airline was brought a year ago and involved Stobart Group and the US hedge fund Cyprus Capital.
To keep Flybe afloat the owners had put in at least £100m but as it was making heavy losses the money soon ran out.
The consortium had asked the government for a loan, and to defer its payment of Air Passenger Duty.
The demise of Flybe can be blamed on the coronavirus crisis as its business plans have been derided by the competitors.
Short-notice replacement flights is expected to be set up by the rivals now especially for links to and from Belfast City airport which is majorly dependent on the failed carrier.
Birmingham airport spokesperson said that the already have arrangements for two airlines to replace five of its routes in the next few weeks. They will continue to engage with other airlines to replace the remaining capacity for their region and customers.
Despite the aircraft was being impounded earlier in the evening, Flybe was selling tickets up to 10 pm.
Blue Islands, the Guernsey-based airline had been branded as Flybe will continue to operate. Those booked for travel on Blue Islands operated services are advised to check-in on time at the airport.
Flybe was selling tickets up to 10pm, despite aircraft already being impounded earlier in the evening.
The government was blamed by the British Airline Pilots’ Association for the failure and Brian Strutton, general secretary said that a year ago Flybe was taken over by new owners with promises of funding for a bright future.
When the ownership consortium lost confidence six weeks ago the government had promised a rescue package considering the value of Flybe to the regional economy of the UK.
Tags: Flybe
