Urgent warning for Flybe passengers as 75,000 left stranded after sudden collapse of airline sparks travel chaos
FLYBE passengers have been told not to travel to the airport after the sudden collapse of the airline left up to 75,000 customers grounded.
Next week alone, 22,000 holiday plans have been destroyed as the airline has cancelled nearly 300 scheduled flights.
Matthew Hall, chief executive of Belfast City Airport said: "First and foremost, our thoughts are with Flybe employees and passengers affected by this disappointing and unexpected news.
"Passengers booked on Flybe flights should not travel to the airport and should seek further advice from the Civil Aviation Authority.
"Flybe operated 10 flights to and from Belfast City, eight of which are currently served by other carriers from our airport.
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"Alternative travel to Birmingham; Glasgow; Leeds-Bradford; London Heathrow, Amsterdam; Edinburgh; Manchester; and Southampton can be arranged through Aer Lingus, KLM, British Airways and Loganair which operates flights to Teesside International from Belfast City Airport."
When Flybe previously collapsed in 2020, it was responsible for around 80 per cent of Belfast City Airport's flights but recently made up about 14 per cent of flights.
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) made the announcement earlier today that the company had gone into administration.
Three early Flybe flights from Belfast, two from Birmingham and two from Amsterdam were all showing as "scheduled on time" on Flybe's online flight status live tracker at 5am.
But the CAA urged ticket-holders to instead check its website for the latest information.
On Flybe's website a statement reads: "Please note that Flybe is unfortunately not able to arrange alternative flights for passengers."
Usually, the CAA steps in to help stranded passengers.
However, when approached by The Sun a spokesperson said: "Flybe customers who still need to travel, will need to make their own alternative travel arrangements via other airlines, rail or coach operators."
According to Sky News 276 of Flybe's 321 staff have been made redundant.
Fuming customers have been flocking to social media to try and figure out their next steps.
One wrote: "Stranded in Geneva now, due to fly tomorrow morning. Spent my last euro at aprés, what do I do now?"
Another added: "Stranded at Heathrow after we were told we’d been rebooked on a new flight this morning!"
"Our immediate priority is to support people travelling home and employees who have lost their jobs," a spokesperson said.
"The Civil Aviation Authority is providing advice to passengers to help them make their journeys as smoothly and affordably as possible.
"The majority of destinations served by Flybe are within the UK with alternative transport arrangements available.
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"We recognise that this is an uncertain time for affected employees and their families.
"Jobcentre Plus, through its Rapid Response Service, stands ready to support any employee affected."