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Flybe failure: Airlines step in with rescue fares

Ryanair and British Airways have joined easyJet in releasing rescue fares for stranded passengers following the failure of Flybe.

The Ryanair rates start at £19.99 and cover five routes across the Irish Sea.

The fares must be booked by midnight on Sunday but cover travel until the end of April.


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They are available on Liverpool-Knock, Bournemouth and Bristol-Dublin, and Stansted and Manchester-Belfast routes.

A spokesperson said: “We’ve released rescue fares to assist customers affected by Flybe ceasing operations.

“We are working with the CAA to accommodate passengers who may have been left stranded or have had their travel plans disrupted by the collapse of the airline.

“We again call for more robust and frequent stress tests on financially weak airlines and tour operators so customers are not the ones who suffer.”

EasyJet is offering £65 rescue fares, including a 15kg hold bag, until the end of March.

British Airways is offering special £50 one-way fares to and from: Aberdeen, Amsterdam, Belfast City, Edinburgh, Jersey, Dusseldorf, Geneva, Milan, Manchester, Newcastle, Glasgow, Inverness, Leeds Bradford, Paris and Nice.

The airline also pledged to bring Flybe flight and cabin crew home for free and provide special repatriation rates to other staff of the collapsed carrier.

Blue Islands is laying on additional services from Jersey and Guernsey to Exeter and Birmingham.

Railway lines also offered assistance to Flybe customers and staff.

South Western Railway is offering free travel for Flybe passengers and staff for travel until March 11 from London Waterloo to Exeter, Southampton Parkway, Poole and Portsmouth.

Travellers need to present a ticket, boarding pass or their Flybe ID.

SWR is also encouraging 2,000 Flybe staff to apply for roles with the company.

“We’re always on the lookout for great people to help us deliver great journeys, so would encourage Flybe colleagues to take a look at some of the great roles we have here,” HR director Sharon Johnston said.

SWR customer experience director Alan Penlington said: “With Flybe operating out of airports in Exeter and Southampton, we know there will be many customers in our region affected by its collapse.

“We are glad we can support Flybe customers and colleagues by allowing them to travel for free on our services and make their planned journey.”

Grand Central is offering free standard travel for Flybe customers and employees on all its services until March 12.

The train company, which runs services from Sunderland and Bradford Interchange to London Kings Cross, is offering anyone with an air ticket, boarding pass or email confirmation with Flybe to travel on its services to complete their return journey. Flybe employees will be able to travel by showing staff ID, a payroll slip or uniform.

Louise Blyth, commercial and customer policy director at Grand Central, said: “We were saddened to hear the news that Flybe had gone into administration. It is obviously a very difficult time for the airline and its staff and customers, many of which have had their travel plans disrupted.”

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