Flybe’s airline has crashed for the second time within three years. This cancelled all flights and caused disruption for thousands of passengers.
It flew to Amsterdam, Geneva and Newquay as well as to connect with UK cities such as Manchester, Leeds, and Newquay.
Overnight, passengers received emails from the government informing them about the collapse.
What should I do if I’m due to fly today?
The airline’s administrators have warned passengers that they should not travel to the airport without arranging a flight with another airline.
Contact the travel agent if you have booked your flight. You will need to book another airline if you have to reach your destination.
Can I get a full refund?
Flybe’s collapse indicates that customers will not be able to receive a refund due to the lack of value in the company.
Passengers who booked directly with the airline and paid by credit or debit card may still be covered.
Section 75 of 1974’s Consumer Credit Act 1974 should protect credit card users who spend more than £100. You should also protect your Visa debit card. In either case, you should contact the provider.
If you book through an agent, your ground for credit and debit card protection is less solid. However, it is worth calling your provider.
You may be covered if you have travel insurance. However, not all policies cover airline failure.
Which? Rory Boland, travel editor at Which?, stated that Flybe passengers will feel terrible because the airline provided essential services to regional airports.
“Very few Flybe passengers will be on Atol-protected packages so the government is unlikely to step in and provide refunds or repatriation.”
If accommodation and flights were purchased together with an ATOL holder, there is a possibility that you booked a package holiday. Your agent will either make other arrangements or refund you if you have received confirmation that you are Atol-protected.
Flybe offers a last option: If you buy your flight and another service, such as a hotel from Flybe, you can make what is known as a linked travel arrangement. After being prompted by the same provider, you must purchase the two separately within 24 hours. While you won’t get the same assistance if you travel abroad as with Atol Protection, you can get a refund.
Flybe’s collapse has caused me to be away from home and I cannot return. What should I do?
Contact the travel agent if you have booked.
You can rest assured that your Atol-protected holiday will be rescheduled and an alternative flight will be provided at no additional cost. You will need to find another route home if you don’t qualify.
According to the Belfast City Airport, 8 out of 10 routes can be covered from Belfast. However, most routes within Britain are covered by other airlines. Trains are an alternative.
Do other airlines offer assistance?
Yes. British Airways offers discounted one-way fares to make it easy for people to get home quickly.
Tickets for passengers travelling between London, Belfast, Newcastle, and Amsterdam are available at £50 or EUR60, plus tax.
EasyJet will offer rescue flights for £49 domestic routes and £79 international routes.
Ryanair also offers “rescue fares” to those who have been affected by Flybe’s cancellation. The airline stated that routes from Belfast to East Midlands and Manchester, as well as London Stansted, were available online starting at £29.99.
LNER Trains has announced that Flybe customers who have had their flights cancelled can travel on any train service at no cost on 28 January and 29 January if they present their boarding passes.
