Hundreds of FlyBMI passengers stranded after airline goes bust at start of half-term and thousands of holiday flights axed
Affected passengers have been told to contact their travel agents or insurance and credit card companies
HUNDREDS of FlyBMI passengers have been stranded after the airline cancelled all flights and filed for administration at the start of half-term.
Passengers were stuck in departures lounges across Europe when the airline suddenly axed all flights and ordered planes back to Britain.
One flight between Bristol and Munich was cancelled after passengers had passed through security.
Dad-of-three Richard Evans, 47, said: "This morning after we went through security at Bristol airport about an hour before the flight was meant to leave there was an announcement to say it had been cancelled for ‘operational reasons’.
“FlyBMI arranged 14 taxis to transport everybody down to Heathrow and put us on a Lufthansa flight. We arrived in Munich six hours later than we were supposed to.
“We were not very happy obviously. The airport staff didn’t seem very surprised it had been cancelled though. They told us they have been cancelling at least one FlyBMI flight a day recently.”
Have you been affected? If so please contact ellie.cambridge@the-sun.co.uk or on 0207 782 4368
Laura Mason added: "Meant to be flying tomorrow. Can’t check in and says on stand by. Booked flights a year ago what an absolute joke. Awful service."
Another flier Tom added: "Hi FlyBMI have you got any tips on how I should break it to my girlfriend that our child is now not seeing his grandparents for the first time since he was born because you can’t sort your finances?"
The East Midlands based airline operates 17 planes flying to 25 European cities and advised customers to seek alternative methods of transport and contact their travel insurance provider.
Bosses said it had been badly affected by rises in fuel and carbon costs and uncertainty over Brexit.
The firm will lose 376 jobs across UK and Europe.
What are my rights if my flights are cancelled?
Customers booked on any FlyBMI flight need to contact the airline or holiday website they’ve booked with.
If they booked with an agent or holiday website and they are ATOL protected then they’ll get flights rebooked/refunds.
Otherwise they should contact insurance or try and get refund via credit card firm or direct debit.
Those who booked with a credit card are covered under the Consumer Credit Act, as long as they spent over £100.
Direct debit bookings may be refunded under Chargeback but you’ll need to check with bank/card issuer.
If you’ve booked a hotel or accommodation then insurance may cover a refund.
Civil engineer Danny McLaughlin, 46, had 14 flights booked through his job over the next seven weeks between City of Derry Airport and London Stansted.
The dad-of-two said he was shocked when he received a text message telling him of the airline's collapse.
Mr McLaughlin said: "I'm a bit stunned to be honest with you.
"I know airlines and things have been saying this for quite a while but it just came as a bolt out of the blue.
"I feel sorry for the staff. I haven't reached the angry stage yet, I probably will. I probably will get a bit annoyed as the weekend goes on. And on Monday morning when I can't get to work."
PASSENGERS STRANDED
Durham University student Mary Ward found out her flight could be affected when her mum showed her a news alert.
Shortly afterwards Mary received a text from the airline: "URGENT: Important message for Flybmi customers. All flights are cancelled. Please go to www.flybmi.com for further details. Thank you."
She had been due to fly from Belgium to Newcastle but is not sure what she will do now.
"I paid £130 for my flight which it doesn't seem I'm going to get back - I don't know how I am going to get back to Durham," she said.
"I can't afford any of the flights or the Eurostar."