Flybe: All regional airline's flights cancelled after it goes into administration

The company is the biggest regional airline in the UK and is responsible for 95 per cent of flights at Southampton Airport.

More than 2,000 jobs are at risk as a result of the action, including many in Hampshire.

Customers who had flights booked with Flybe are being urged by the UK Civil Aviation Authority not to go to the airport and ‘make their own alternative travel arrangements via other airlines, rail or coach operators’.

However, select flights run in connection with other operators will go ahead, including some to Leeds and the Channel Islands.

News of the company’s downfall comes after transport secretary Grant Shapps and then business secretary Andrea Leadsom announced they were ‘delighted’ at government plans to keep the airline operating in January.

But Flybe staff were sent an email today by CEO Mark Anderson setting out imminent plans to cease trading.

He said in part: ‘It’s with enormous sadness and a deep feeling of sorrow that I share the upsetting news that Flybe is shortly being put into administration.

‘Despite every effort, we now have no alternative – having failed to find a feasible solution to allow us to keep trading.’

He also cited the outbreak of Covid-19 as a factor in the decision, adding: ‘The coronavirus has impacted both our shareholders and ourselves and has put additional pressure on an already difficult situation.’

Flybe’s website has been shut down as a result of the administration and a message to customers and staff has been put on its landing page.

It says Alan Hudson, Joanne Robinson, Lucy Winterborne and Simon Edel of EY have been appointed as joint administrators.

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The firm adds: ‘Please note that Flybe is unfortunately not able to arrange alternative flights for passengers.

‘If you have a booking sold by another airline that includes travel on a Flybe flight, please contact the relevant airline or travel agent to confirm if there is any impact to your travel plans.’

It is thought the failed government plan to save Flybe two months ago included a proposal to delay the firm’s air passenger duty payment for 2020 and potentially cut the tax for all domestic flights to keep the nation ‘connected’.

Domestic passengers usually pay £26 in air passenger duty for a return trip.

It is believed the bill would ordinarily cost Flybe £106m for three years.