Belfast City Airport has issued a statement following the news that Flybe has ceased trading.
Overnight the news broke that the company had gone into administration and all scheduled flights had been cancelled. The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) urged those with booked Flybe flights not to travel to airports.
Three early Flybe flights from Belfast, two from Birmingham and two from Amsterdam were all showing as 'scheduled on time' on Flybe's online flight status live tracker at 5am. But the CAA urged ticket-holders to instead check its website for the latest information.
READ MORE: Airport warning as Flybe ceases trading and cancels all flights
In response to Flybe entering administration, 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, 8 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.”
Loganair Chief Executive, Jonathan Hinkles, said: “The collapse once more of Flybe is a sad day for the industry, adversely impacting their staff who will lose their jobs, and the airline’s customers who now face significant disruption.
“Loganair will relaunch the Manchester to Newquay service from 10 Feb and would encourage customers to book as early as possible to avoid any disappointment.
“In the meantime, Loganair remains firmly committed to serving its customers and connecting the UK regions, just as we have done throughout the last 60 years.”
Peter McReynolds, Alliance MLA for East Belfast, tweeted: "Disappointed to see Flybe has ceased trading and all flights from Belfast City Airport have been cancelled with immediate effect 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."
The airline also confirmed the "sad" move, noting that administrators had been brought in.
"We are sad to announce that Flybe has been placed into administration," Flybe tweeted.
"David Pike and Mike Pink of Interpath have been appointed administrators. Flybe has now ceased trading. All Flybe flights from and to the UK are cancelled 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 per week across 23 routes, serving airports such as Belfast City, Birmingham, East Midlands, Glasgow, Heathrow and Leeds Bradford.
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