Flybe has cancelled all flights after collapsing into administration overnight
UK airline Flybe has entered into administration, with 2,000 jobs at risk and passengers being told not to travel to airports.
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Hide AdThe Exeter-based firm, which avoided going under in January, made a recent bid for financial support which failed, but said that the impact of the ongoing global coronavirus outbreak on air travel was partly to blame for its collapse.
‘All flights have been grounded’
A statement on the Flybe website said, “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.
“All flights have been grounded and the UK business has ceased trading with immediate effect.”
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Hide AdAdvice for customers reads, “If you are due to fly with Flybe, 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 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.
“Customers are also advised to monitor the Civil Aviation Authority website for further information (www.caa.co.uk). If you require any further information or assistance, please contact the Administrators by phone on 0207 951 7801 or by email at [email protected].”
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Hide AdWhat about employees?
The Flybe website says, “In the event that you were an employee of the Company and you require any further information or assistance in relation to the Administration, please contact the Administrators on 0161 333 2596 or by email at [email protected].”
‘No alternative to administration’
In a letter to the airline's staff, chief executive Mark Anderson said, "Despite every effort, we now have no alternative - having failed to find a feasible solution to allow us to keep trading.
"I am very sorry that we have not been able to secure the funding needed to continue to deliver our turnaround," Mr Anderson added.
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Hide AdThe UK government has said it was ready to help Flybe's workers find new jobs and that it will work with other airlines to replace services, stating, "We are working closely with industry to minimise any disruption to routes operated by Flybe, including by looking urgently at how routes not already covered by other airlines can be re-established by the industry. "