Airline is grounded

AIRLINE flybmi has suspended flights and is filing for administration, blaming uncertainty around Brexit.

The airline, which had operated 17 regional jet aircraft on routes to 25 European cities, said all flights were cancelled from yesterday.

The company served two routes from Newcastle – to Stavanger and Brussels, with today’s flight to both now cancelled. The difficulties to hit flybmi have included increases in fuel and carbon costs, as well as challenges “particularly those created by Brexit”, a statement on the airline’s website said.

A total of 376 employees based in the UK, Germany, Sweden and Belgium are employed by bmi Regional. Customers have been advised to contact their payment card issuer to get a refund for flights, while those who have booked through a travel agent or partner airlines are advised to contact their agent or airline.