Domestic and short-haul airline Flybe ceased trading and entered administration in the early hours of Saturday morning.
The airline was based at Birmingham airport and operated from Belfast City, Birmingham and Heathrow to airports across the United Kingdom and to Amsterdam and Geneva.
Its failure follows that of its predecessor of the same name, which collapsed in 2020. This iteration of the airline began operations in April 2022 after being acquired by Thyme Opco, a company related to US hedge fund Cyrus Capital.
A statement on the airline’s website said on Saturday: “On 28 Jan 23 David Pike & Mike Pink were appointed joint administrators of Flybe Limited. Flybe has now ceased trading. All Flybe flights from and to the UK are cancelled and will not be rescheduled.
“If you are due to fly with Flybe today or in the future, please do not travel to the airport unless you have arranged an alternative flight with another airline. Please note that Flybe is unfortunately not able to arrange alternative flights for passengers.
“If you have a Flybe booking sold by an intermediary (i.e. not directly with Flybe) that includes travel on a Flybe flight, please contact the relevant airline or booking / travel agent to confirm if there is any impact to your travel plans as the intermediary may be able to support you with alternative arrangements and provide further advice regarding any claim you may need to make.”
On 28 Jan 23 David Pike & Mike Pink were appointed Joint Administrators of Flybe Limited. Flybe has now ceased trading. All Flybe flights from & to the UK are cancelled & will not be rescheduled. Further information can be found @ https://t.co/VbCQW2SmGn & https://t.co/bcNJz3Cthqpic.twitter.com/DhLb8UhwXk
— Flybe (@flybe) January 28, 2023
The CAA said: “All Flybe-flights have now been cancelled. Please do not go to the airport as flights will not be operating.
“Flybe customers who still need to travel, will need to make their own alternative travel arrangements via other airlines, rail or coach operators.”
CAA consumer director Paul Smith said: “It is always sad to see an airline enter administration and we know that Flybe’s decision to stop trading will be distressing for all of its employees and customers.
“We urge passengers planning to fly with this airline not to go to the airport as all Flybe flights are cancelled. For the latest advice, Flybe customers should visit the Civil Aviation Authority’s website or our Twitter feed for more information.”
Matthew Hall, chief executive of Belfast City Airport said: “First and foremost, our thoughts are with Flybe employees and passengers affected by this disappointing and unexpected news.
“Passengers booked on Flybe flights should not travel to the airport and should seek further advice from the Civil Aviation Authority.
“Flybe operated 10 flights to and from Belfast City, eight of which are currently served by other carriers from our airport.
“Alternative travel to Birmingham; Glasgow; Leeds Bradford; London Heathrow, Amsterdam; Edinburgh; Manchester; and Southampton can be arranged through Aer Lingus, KLM, British Airways and Loganair which operates flights to Teesside International from Belfast City Airport.”
Business Travel Association chief executive Clive Wratten said: “The collapse of Flybe is dreadful news for leisure and corporate travellers.
Their predominantly UK-focused network gave them a vital role in British business. With the train strikes next week, our economy is once more being brought to a standstill.
“It’s imperative that our domestic infrastructure is brought in line with our global ambitions. Our thoughts are with all those impacted by the loss of Flybe today.”
More information will be provided at www.caa.co.uk/news when it is available.