Flights canceled as UK airline Flybe sinks into bankruptcy

Associated Press

January 28, 2023 at 5:17 AM·2 min read

FILE - A view of a Flybe flight departing from Manchester Airport, Manchester, England, Jan. 13, 2020. Struggling U.K. airline Flybe has collapsed for the second time in less than three year it was announced on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023. The flyer initially limped into bankruptcy in March 2020, with the loss of 2,400 jobs. It was relaunched in April 2022 with hedge fund backing, but has called in the bankruptcy accountants once again after less than 12 months back in the air. (Peter Byrne/PA via AP, File)

The departure boards at Manchester Airport showing two cancelled Flybe flights, in Manchester, England, Saturday Jan. 28, 2023. Struggling U.K. airline Flybe has collapsed for the second time in less than three years. The flyer initially limped into bankruptcy in March 2020, with the loss of 2,400 jobs. It was relaunched in April 2022 with hedge fund backing, but has called in the bankruptcy accountants once again after less than 12 months back in the air. (Peter Byrne/PA via AP)

Britain Flybe

FILE - A view of a Flybe flight departing from Manchester Airport, Manchester, England, Jan. 13, 2020. Struggling U.K. airline Flybe has collapsed for the second time in less than three year it was announced on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023. The flyer initially limped into bankruptcy in March 2020, with the loss of 2,400 jobs. It was relaunched in April 2022 with hedge fund backing, but has called in the bankruptcy accountants once again after less than 12 months back in the air. (Peter Byrne/PA via AP, File)

ASSOCIATED PRESS

LONDON (AP) — Struggling U.K. regional airline Flybe collapsed for the second time in three years Saturday, putting jobs on the line and leaving passengers stranded.

The airline initially slumped into bankruptcy in March 2020, shedding 2,400 jobs, as coronavirus restrictions decimated the travel industry. It relaunched in April last year, flying many of the same routes out of Belfast, Birmingham and London Heathrow.

In a statement, the grounded flyer said it had called in bankruptcy accountants again, and warned passengers not to travel to airports as all flights were now canceled, including its international routes from Switzerland and the Netherlands.

The U.K’s Civil Aviation Authority said passengers should “make their own alternative travel arrangements via other airlines, rail or coach operators,” leaving customers with lengthy and potentially expensive trips to get home.

CAA consumer director Paul Smith said: “It is always sad to see an airline enter administration and we know that Flybe’s decision to stop trading will be distressing for all of its employees and customers.”