FLYBE COLLAPSE A ‘TERRIBLE DAY’
THE collapse of Flybe has been branded a “terrible day” for Cardiff Airport in the latest blow for Wales’ biggest airport.
Hundreds of thousands of Flybe passengers travelled through the airport each year across their several key routes.
The collapse comes just days after the airport asked the Welsh Government for a further £6.8m, just a year after it approved a loan of £21.2m, and only a year after the collapse of Thomas Cook which saw the already thin list of destinations offered by the airport decrease further.
And in December it was revealed the airport’s pre-tax losses have nearly trebled in a year with bosses warning the loss of Thomas Cook will only really be felt in next year’s accounts.
Flybe operated about 51% of the airport’s flights but only around 27% of the passengers who passed through the airport in the last year.
Passengers were left trying to find out what would happen to their bookings.
Katie Johnson was booked to travel back home from Paris to Cardiff at 12.15pm yesterday after a trip to Disneyland with her husband and fouryear-old daughter. She was waiting to hear from her travel company about getting home but there was an hour wait on the phone lines.
She told us: “We had a wonderful holiday this week with our little girl. It’s been really stressful to wake up to the news this morning. I received a text and email from Flybe advising us not to travel to the airport as they’d gone into administration.
“We booked through the Walt Disney Travel Company who are Atol protected so we’re waiting to hear what arrangements they’ll make to get us home. We’re keeping everything crossed that we won’t be stranded for too long.”
Welsh television presenter Rhydian Bowen Phillips, from Barry, was due to fly to Disneyland Paris from Cardiff as a birthday treat.
He said: “We’d checked in online already and sorted the parking. We have been told not to go to the airport so we are waiting to speak to Disney this morning as it was arranged as package through them. Just waiting to see the options. It is an inconvenience, but I feel for those who have lost their jobs.”
Masterchef pro winner Gary Maclean was due to travel from Scotland to Cardiff with Flybe.
Marcus Hughes, 26, from Newport, had flights booked with Flybe from Cardiff to Edinburgh later this month.
“It was meant to be a short break for me and my partner,” said Marcus, who is a Western Mail reporter.
“We were really looking forward to it and we don’t often spend much on travel because we’re trying to save money. So losing out on a trip like this is a big blow for us.
“The flights cost about £100 per person but I doubt I’ll manage to get any money back. I paid with a debit card and I’d never think of buying travel insurance for a domestic flight. It seems like there should be better consumer protection in place.
“We’re upset, but I’m sure we’ll find a way to enjoy a break somewhere.”
Simon Pritchard, an IT consultant from South Wales, said the collapse of Flybe meant he was unable to get a flight to his intended destination of Manchester.
“EasyJet flights from [Belfast] international to Manchester are all sold out until Monday. So the alternative is a seven-hour ferry, or fly to Liverpool then get a bus or train back to Manchester.
“I chose Manchester as the flights for business are timed well – early evening and early morning. I then have a four-hour drive home to South Wales.”
He added that he previously used Flybe direct from Cardiff, but a recent reduction in service of late meant there was only one flight a day, at an unsuitable time.
“Have also got more business flights booked with Flybe in the coming weeks, to Isle of Man and back to Northern Ireland, not sure what I’ll do with those now,” Mr Pritchard said.
But he added: “Hotels can be booked, alternatives can be arranged. More worried about those who have woken up with no job today.”
Yesterday, Welsh Government economy and transport minister Ken Skates said one airline had already taken over a former Flybe route at Cardiff.
Mr Skates AM said Scottish airline Logan Air will run a daily flight to Edinburgh, increasing to 10 a week from September.
He said: “We can say with certainty that Cardiff Airport is not at risk in the wake in the collapse of Flybe. While this will present obvious challenges, we are confident that we will be able to attract alternative carriers and talks were already underway before the collapse with several.”
He added he “absolutely” does not regret the loan given to the airport and said: “I’m in no doubt that had we not bought the airport it would have collapsed anyway, but certainly if we had not bought the airport and invested in it through loans then Flybe’s demise this week could well have taken the airport down.”
The Clwyd South AM said discussions are ongoing with the airport and any job implications are expected to not be “significant”.
Flybe operated operated six “core” routes to and from Cardiff Airport –
Dublin, Edinburgh, Belfast City, Paris, Jersey and Cork. Additional winter services operated to Geneva and Chambery.
Professor in transport and logistics at Cardiff University Business School Andrew Potter said some of the routes will be attractive to other operators, but expects any major changes to take between six and 10 months.
Mr Potter said: “They [Flybe] are an important element of traffic through the airport, but over the last couple of years they have tried to diversify more.
“Flybe have restructured too, and compared to if they went under two years ago this is alot better. It’s still a significant number of flights.
“A lot them will be regular travelers too, not just holidaymakers. The impact on additional revenue has to be considered too, such as parking and shops.
“I don’t think the collapse of Flybe threatens the future of the airport as such, because of the downsizing that had already happened.”
On Thursday the airport said that flights to Anglesey, Teeside and Aberdeen will continue to operate