Passengers stranded as Flybe collapses and cancels all flights
AIRLINE Flybe has collapsed for the second time in less than three years.
It cancelled all flights in the UK and to Europe yesterday, leaving 2,500 passengers stranded.
About 75,000 customers have had their forthcoming flights axed.the airline said it would not be able to help them arrange alternatives.
Flybe operated 21 routes from Belfast City, Birmingham and Heathrow to airports across the UK, as well as to Amsterdam and Geneva.
It restarted in April after being rescued from collapse in 2020 with the loss of 2,400 jobs.
The Civil Aviation Authority made the announcement yesterday morning and its website was providing information to passengers, including how to try to reclaim their money.
Flybe tweeted: “We are sad to announce that Flybe has been placed into administration.”
Its website urged passengers not to travel to airports unless booked on alternative flights.
A Government spokesperson said: “Our immediate priority is to support people travelling home and employees who have lost their jobs.”
Many passengers were left scrambling to get new flights. Freddy Mcbride, 61, from Balham in south London, was due to fly with his wife from Heathrow to Belfast yesterday morning but had to rebook with Aer Lingus.
He said: “It’s outrageous. I’ve just spent the last hour running around the terminals trying to sort things out. It’s not good.”
LNER is allowing Flybe customers to travel to their destination for free, by presenting their cancelled airline ticket today.
Which? travel editor Rory Boland urged passengers to check their travel insurance or with their bank or credit card provider.