Regional flight provider Flybe has ceased trading this morning cancelling all flights with immediate effect.
Punters who had trips booked with the airline are now being urged to refrain from heading to their airport of choice, unless they have a rearranged means of transport to their planned destination.
Newcastle International Airport is one of many which have seen disruption due to the chaos this morning, with an inbound flight from Belfast set to arrive at 8.05am cancelled - as well as a departure to Belfast which was scheduled for 8.40am.
Read more: Flybe cancels all scheduled flights as airline ceases trading again
A spokesperson for Newcastle International, told Chronicle Live: "We are sorry that Flybe has entered administration. Passengers due to travel with Flybe should not come to the Airport. Customers of Flybe should visit the Civil Aviation Authority website for more information."
Flybe have shutdown their usually operating website, leaving a statement to all visitors advising on what to do with regards to planned journeys. The message reads: "On 28 January 2023, the High Court appointed David Pike and Mike Pink as Joint Administrators of Flybe Limited (“Flybe”).
"Flybe has now ceased trading and all flights from and to the UK operated by Flybe have been cancelled and will not be rescheduled. If you are a passenger affected by this event, please read the advice below.
"If you are due to fly with Flybe today or in the future, 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 Flybe booking sold by an intermediary (i.e. not directly with Flybe) that includes travel on a Flybe flight, please contact the relevant airline or booking / travel agent to confirm if there is any impact to your travel plans as the intermediary may be able to support you with alternative arrangements and provide further advice regarding any claim you may need to make.
"Customers are also advised to monitor the Civil Aviation Authority website for further information www.caa.co.uk/news."
Travellers who have planned journeys will now be looking into arranging refunds, but is this possible with the company ceasing trading?
Martin Lewis' Money Saving Expert website has thankfully detailed on how to get your money back from the company.
The website states: "Check first if you are ATOL-protected, though it's likely very few in this situation will be (see How to check for ATOL protection). If you do have ATOL protection as you booked your flight as part of a package holiday, contact your travel firm – it should arrange alternative flights or give you a full refund."
If you aren't ATOL protected, there are a number of ways how you can still potentially retrieve your money.
Attempt a chargeback if booked on a credit or debit card:
MSE explains: "This is where you ask your debit or credit card provider to try and recoup what you paid from Flybe's payment processor. The chargeback scheme isn't a legal requirement, it's just a customer service promise. But it's worth trying and when other travel firms have collapsed previously, we've seen people successfully claim using this."
Visa, Mastercard & AMEX protection schemes:
MSE continues: "You may be covered by the Visa, Mastercard or American Express protection schemes. You can usually start the process by calling your bank or card provider to dispute the transaction – see our Chargeback guide for full details."
Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act:
Money Saving Expert adds: "Under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act, if you pay on your credit card for an individual flight costing more than £100, the card company's equally liable and you may be able to claim from it. See our Section 75 guide for more info and template letters
"We'd still suggest trying chargeback first even if you could claim under Section 75, as card firms may prefer this because then they don't have to pick up the bill themselves. But in practice, the process is likely to be the same either way – go to your card provider."
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