Flybe customers have been issued with guidance on and advice following the collapse of the airline. The UK Civil Aviation Authority has issued further advice to UK consumers impacted by Flybe entering Administration on January 28.
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) made the announcement the company had gone into administration and urged those with booked Flybe flights not to travel to airports.
The CAA urged ticket-holders to instead check its website for the latest information. Now, many customers have been left searching for information on whether they will be able to claw back any of the cash they have spent on tickets.
A statement issued by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) states that If you booked directly with Flybe and paid by credit card you may be protected under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 and should contact your card issuer for further information. Similarly, if you paid by debit or charge card you should contact your card issuer for advice as you may be able to make a claim under their charge back rules.
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The statement adds: "If you purchased travel insurance that includes cover for scheduled airline failure, known as SAFI, you should contact your insurer. If you did not book directly with Flybe and purchased your tickets through a third party, you should contact your booking or travel agent in the first instance."
The CAA also issued the following guidance for customers.
Negative response letter
Passengers who booked directly with the company via either a credit, charge or debit card may alternatively be able to make a claim through their card provider. Some card providers will ask for a negative response letter confirming the position. Passengers may also be able to make a claim against their travel insurer.
The negative response letter will be published shortly.
Direct booking with an airline
If you paid the airline directly by credit card you might be protected by Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974. You should check with your card issuer for further advice. You may have similar cover if you paid by Visa debit card and should check with your bank.
Booked through an Airline Ticket Agent
If you booked your ticket through an airline ticket agent you should speak to the agent in the first instance; they may have provided travel insurance that includes Scheduled Airline Failure cover.
Scheduled Airline Failure Insurance (SAFI)
Some airlines and airline ticket agents will offer customers either a specific Scheduled Airline Failure Insurance (SAFI) policy or include similar protection within a broader travel insurance product. The type of protection provided may vary depending on the type of policy taken out. A policy may simply cover the cost of the original tickets purchased or any unused portion, or the additional cost of purchasing new flights, such as new tickets for travel back to the UK.
It comes after the collapse of the airline was described as “disappointing and unexpected” by the chief executive of Belfast City Airport.
The regional carrier operated 10 flights to and from Belfast, and passengers who have booked have been advised not to travel to the airport.
A statement on the airline’s website said it had “ceased trading” and added that it would not be able to help passengers arrange alternative flights.
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said it would provide advice and information to those affected.
Administrators have taken over the company, which only relaunched in April last year.
When Flybe previously collapsed in 2020, it was responsible for around 80% of Belfast City Airport’s flights.
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, eight 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.”
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”
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