Advice has been issued to those who have planned trips with Flybe after it was announced that the airline has ceased trading and all its scheduled flights have been cancelled.
The UK Civil Aviation Authority issued a statement early Saturday morning (January 28) which read: "All Flybe-flights have now been cancelled. Please do not go to the airport as flights will not be operating. Flybe customers who still need to travel, will need to make their own alternative travel arrangements via other airlines, rail or coach operators."
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."
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Following the news Which? travel editor Rory Boland said: “This will be terrible news to Flybe passengers, many of whom used the airline regularly where it provided essential services from regional airports. Very few passengers flying Flybe will be on Atol-protected packages so the Government is unlikely to step in and repatriate those abroad or provide refunds.
"Instead passengers with travel insurance should check if their policy includes scheduled operator failure cover. Alternately, those who booked tickets costing more than £100 with a credit card will be able to claim from their credit card provider. If the tickets were under £100 or booked with a debit card, passengers can try to use chargeback from their bank or card provider."
However, the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has now also issued further advice to UK consumers impacted by Flybe entering administration. The CAA explained that customers with direct bookings may be protected under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974. Those who paid for flights using their credit cards have been encouraged to contact their 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," the CAA spokesperson said. However, if you have booked through other methods, here is the current advice?
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.
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