by Regional airline Flybe has gone out of business and all scheduled flights have been cancelled, authorities said today.
The UK Civil Aviation Authority has announced that the company has entered receivership and has urged those who have booked Flybe flights not to travel to airports.
Three of Flybe’s first flights from Belfast, two from Birmingham and two from Amsterdam were all shown as ‘scheduled on time’ on Flybe’s online live flight status tracker at 5am, the Press Association reported.
But the CAA urged ticket holders to check its website instead for the latest information. CAA’s director of consumer affairs, Paul Smith, said: “It’s always sad to see an airline go into administration and we know Flybe’s decision to go out of business will be distressing for all its employees and customers.
“We urge passengers planning to fly with this airline not to travel to the airport as all Flybe flights have been cancelled. For the latest advice, Flybe customers should visit the Civil Aviation Authority website or our feed Twitter for more information.”
The airline also confirmed the “sad” move, noting that administrators had been involved. “We are sad to announce that Flybe has been placed into administration,” Flybe tweeted.
“Interpath’s David Pike and Mike Pink have been appointed directors. Flybe is now out of business. All Flybe flights to and from the UK have been canceled and will not be rescheduled.”
It comes after Flybe returned to the skies in April following an earlier collapse.
It returned with a plan to operate up to 530 flights a week across 23 routes, serving airports such as Belfast City, Birmingham, the East Midlands, Glasgow, Heathrow and Leeds Bradford.
Flybe went into administration in March 2020 with the loss of 2,400 jobs as the Covid-19 pandemic destroyed much of the travel market.
Before it went bust, it was flying most UK domestic routes between airports outside London.
Its business and assets were purchased in April 2021 by Thyme Opco, which is linked to US hedge fund Cyrus Capital. Timo Opco was renamed Flybe Limited. It was based at Birmingham Airport.
The government said its “immediate priority” would be to support anyone trying to go home and those who have lost their jobs.
“Our immediate priority is to support people going home and employees who have lost their jobs,” a spokesperson said.
“The Civil Aviation Authority advises passengers to help them make their journeys as smooth and convenient as possible. The majority of destinations served by Flybe are within the UK with alternative modes of transport available “.
“We recognize that this is an uncertain time for affected employees and their families.
