Agent fury at Buzz closure

FURIOUS agents have lashed out at Ryanair for cancelling Buzz’s April schedule and 12 routes from Stansted.

Thousands of passengers’ travel plans have been thrown into disarray by the move, which Ryanair blamed on

spiralling costs. Under radical restructuring plans, the carrier has proposed slashing 400 Buzz jobs and 12 routes from Stansted, including Paris and Amsterdam. And it is threatening to close the airline unless Buzz staff agree to the changes.

Anne Dixon, a partner with Colchester-based Radco Business Travel, said: “That is going to hit us big because Paris and Amsterdam are major business routes. We are very angry.

It’s an absolute disgrace.”

Colchester Travel managing director John Bennett added: “It’s amazing really, but typical of Ryanair. No-one has told us and we are left with the problem of clearing up.”

Buzz passengers will receive refunds for cancelled flights but not hotel bookings or car hire.

The move has outraged unions. Pilots’ union Balpa, the GMB and the T&G have indicated they may join forces to mount a legal challenge.

Ryanair justified the plan by highlighting Buzz’s £20 million loss last year. A spokesman said: “The financial position of Buzz is extremely precarious.”

The carrier said Buzz’s load factor for January was only 48% and the former KLM subsidiary is currently losing £678,000 a week.

Under the restructure plan, the Irish carrier has said it will increase frequencies on its remaining 12 routes and offer better pay and conditions to the remaining Buzz staff.

MyTravelLite and GB Airways have stepped in to offer alternative flights to Buzz. MyTravelLite is increasing its Murcia, Malaga and Alicante flights from Birmingham and is offering Buzz passengers its flights for the same price they paid for cancelled services. Meanwhile, BA franchisee GB Airways is launching Toulon and Murcia routes from Gatwick in May.