The airline’s fate was confirmed during the early hours of Thursday morning (5 March) when administrators were appointed and after aircraft began to be impounded at various UK airports upon landing on Wednesday night (4 March).
The news will come as a major blow to travellers across the country who relied on the Exeter-based airline for regional connectivity, with some airports reliant on Flybe for the majority of their traffic.
“Flybe entered administration on 5 March 2020, and Alan Hudson, Joanne Robinson, Lucy Winterborne and Simon Edel of EY have been appointed as joint administrators,” read a statement posted on Flybe’s website.
“All flights have been grounded and the UK business has ceased trading with immediate effect.”
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The news comes almost two months after a rescue deal, comprising a £100 million state bailout, was reportedly struck between Flybe, its investors and the government.
However, Sky News on Wednesday reported the airline had asked ministers for additional emergency financial support amid claims the talks over its state-backed loan had failed.
Meanwhile, a source cited by BBC News said the impact of the coronavirus on recent sales had “made a difficult situation far more difficult”.
Administrators EY confirmed Flybe had around 2,400 employees when it collapsed, the "majority" of whom will be, or have been, made redundant.
‘Transitional period’
Channel Islands carrier and Flybe franchise partner Blue Islands said it would continue to operate despite the closure of Flybe, advising passengers booked on its services to check in on time at their departure airport.
“If you already have a booking for 5 March, please check in on time. It will be possible to book any available seats on Blue Islands-operated services at the airport,” a statement read.
“Those seeking to book travel are asked to attend the airport and enquire of availability and flight information there. Sale of all new seats on these services for tomorrow will be flat-rated at £50 one way (inclusive of baggage) until such time as Blue Islands has re-established full functionality of its dormant dynamic booking tools, which is expected within the forthcoming days (at which point further announcements will be made).
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“Blue Islands is saddened by the closure of Flybe. Our thoughts are with the staff, passengers, industry colleagues and wider stakeholders of the business affected at this difficult time. We wish to thank all of our passengers and airport partners for their patience and support during this transitional period.”
Fellow Flybe franchise partner Eastern Airways said in a statement: “Passengers booked to travel today [Thursday], Friday or Sunday on flights operated by Eastern Airways should turn up and travel as normal following the closure of Flybe.
“Announcements will be made here on the Eastern Airways website about flights for next week onwards.”
Flybe had been set to be rebranded to Virgin Connect later this year after it was acquired by the Virgin Atlantic-led Connect Airways consortium in early 2019, staving off Flybe’s demise then.
Under Connect’s strategy for Flybe, the carrier was to drop its long-standing purple livery and adopt Virgin’s signature red branding.
It would then have been used as a regional feeder airline, operating from 12 UK bases, for Virgin’s long-haul operations from Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester.
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Flybe’s customers have been told not to travel to their departure airport unless they have made alternative arrangements with another carrier.
“Please note that Flybe is unfortunately not able to arrange alternative flights for passengers,” said the Flybe statement.
Anyone with bookings sold by another airline that include travel with Flybe should contact their airline or travel agent for information on whether there will be any impact on their travel plans.
Flybe customers are also advised to monitor the CAA website for further information. Flybe employees, creditors and suppliers have been advised to contact the administrators.
‘Sad day for UK aviation’
The CAA further confirmed Flybe has entered administration on Thursday morning, stressing all Flybe flights and those operated by Stobart Air had been cancelled.
“Please do not go to the airport as your flight will not be operating,” said the CAA. “Flybe customers are therefore urged to make their own alternative travel arrangements via other airlines, rail or coach operators.
“For flights operated by Flybe franchise partners (Eastern Airways and Blue Islands), passengers should make contact with that airline to confirm their travel arrangements.”
CAA chief executive Richard Moriarty said: “This is a sad day for UK aviation, and we know that Flybe’s decision to stop trading will be very 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 CAA website or the CAA’s Twitter feed.
“Flybe also operated a number of codeshare partnerships with international airlines. If you have an international ticket you should make contact with that airline to confirm your travel arrangements.”
The CAA added that unlike the collapses of Monarch and Thomas Cook, it had not be asked by the government to coordinate a repatriation effort.
“The Civil Aviation Authority believes very few Flybe passengers are Atol protected and those people should make arrangements through their travel agent, who are responsible for providing alternative arrangements,” said the CAA in a statement.
“The government has not commissioned the CAA to organise any repatriation flights as there is capacity in the market for people to travel via alternative airlines, rail and coach operations.”
