Hopes that bankrupt regional airline Flybe could be bailed out faded last night, despite reports that “established international airlines” had previously shown interest in a deal.
The Birmingham-based regional airline abruptly halted flights on Saturday, immediately hitting 2,500 passengers who had no flights.
A total of 75,000 customers have booked Future tickets for UK domestic flights and destinations such as Geneva and Amsterdam. EasyJet, British Airways and Ryanair immediately offered reduced fares to affected passengers. The railroad company LNER also offered free travel.
The company employed 321 people, of whom 277 were laid off and 44 will remain at work until the sale. Employees who have lost their jobs should contact EasyJet and Ryanair, the two low-cost airlines said.
Flybe operated 21 routes to 17 destinations in the UK and Europe using a fleet of eight leased aircraft.
Aviation experts said the chances of the Flybe flying again are slim. “Flybe took two years to restart after the first bankruptcy in 2020. The new operators will be in recession,” the aviation commentator said.
“Incumbent airlines will be interested in Flybe’s landing sites…not in a Flybe revival.”
Administrator Interpath Advisory said Flybe has faced a number of upheavals since its relaunch last year, but stressed that the delay in the delivery of 17 aircraft from lessors, which has seriously undermined its efforts to build capacity and remain competitive, has jeopardized.
Flybe’s technical staff said that without the aircraft, the airline would have to rely on a small fleet and find it difficult to compete with competitors.
Aircraft leasing company Nordic Aviation, which leased eight aircraft to Flybe, declined to comment on the allegations.
Flybe staff have been told the delays are due to the aircraft needing “significant repairs” after recovering from Flybe’s initial crash in 2020.
Flybe has been losing £5m a month for some time now and cannot continue. financial times reported.
Earlier this month, the airline announced ambitious plans to extend its summer schedule.
Despite the airline’s precarious financial situation, it continued to take bookings for several hours before going into administration.
Many Flybe customers were surprised when it became known that some of them bought just days, if not hours, before the airline filed for bankruptcy. A frustrated customer responded to Flybe by saying, “Damn, I just booked my tickets yesterday.”
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which regulates airlines, said those with bookings should request a refund from their credit or debit card provider or file a claim with their insurance company or contact their travel provider.
The CAA itself is currently facing independent scrutiny of its operations and credentials after it was widely criticized for failing to hold airlines accountable after thousands of flights were canceled and travelers faced hardship.
Source: I News
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