Romanian airline Blue Air has suspended flights amid financial difficulties, it has been reported.
As a result, Ryanair and Wizz Air have been offering rescue fares for passengers affected by cancellations, which include a number of flight routes to central Europe from UK airports such as Birmingham, London Heathrow and Liverpool.
The Romanian government has reportedly suspended the airline's bank account and claims it is owed money by Blue Air.
All Blue Air flights from Bucharest to London Heathrow, together with the return legs, are shown as cancelled up to 11 September.
Blue Air "paused" all flights earlier this week until Monday, September 12, the Independent reported.
Both Ryanair and Wizz Air are offering “rescue” fares to Blue Air passengers, selling seats at a flat £43 price tag if they can show they were due to fly with the carrier. (This will mean needing to show proof of booking).
Such Ryanair routes include ones to Bucharest, Cluj, Oradea, Sibiu, Suceava, Timisoara in Romania or Turin in Italy.
These low rescue fares are on sale now on the Ryanair.com website, for travel until October 31, but must be booked by midnight on September 9.
Ryanair rescue fare routes include:
- Cluj - London
- Bucharest - Brussels, Dublin, London, Madrid, Naples, Palma, Pisa, Rome and Treviso
- Turin - Naples, Catania and Lamezia
Ryanair’s Dara Brady said: "Ryanair is once again saving the day with rescue fares from just £49.99 to accommodate customers affected by Blue Air’s sudden ‘suspension’ of operations.
"While Blue Air are ‘suspending’ flights across Europe, Ryanair continues to operate a full schedule with over 3,000 daily flights delivering industry-leading low fares, choice, reliability and customer service.
"These flights are available from only £49.99 until midnight September – so act fast and book on Ryanair.com.”
Wizz Air has also launched rescue fares for Blue Air customers, following its suspension of flights from Romania.
Affected Blue Air passengers can already book Wizz Air flights from 49.99 EUR using their Blue Air booking reference, on the Wizz Air website.
Blue Air has been contacted for comment.
