The consortium had asked the government for a loan, and to defer its payment of Air Passenger Duty.
The continued spread of coronavirus, also known as Covid-19, has hit airlines around the world as people
stop travelling.
While the coronavirus crisis will be blamed for hastening the demise of Flybe, its business plan has been
derided by competitors.
Some of those rivals are now expected to set up short-notice replacement flights, especially for links to and
from Belfast City airport – which is heavily dependent on the failed carrier.
Flybe was selling tickets up to 10pm, despite aircraft already being impounded earlier in the evening.
The Guernsey-based airline, Blue Islands, said its services – which had been branded as Flybe – will
continue to operate.
“Passengers with bookings for travel on Blue Islands operated services are advised to check-in on time at
the airport,” it said. “If you already have a booking for ... 5 March 2020, please check in on time. It will be
possible to book any available seats on Blue Islands operated services at the airport.”
The British Airline Pilots’ Association (Balpa) reacted angrily to the news. The general secretary, Brian
Strutton, said: “A year ago Flybe was taken over by new owners with promises of funding for a bright
future. Six weeks ago, when the ownership consortium lost confidence, the government promised a rescue
package, apparently at that time recognising the value of Flybe to the regional economy of the UK.
“Throughout, pilots, cabin crew and ground staff have done their jobs brilliantly, while behind the scenes
the owners and, sadly, Government connived to walk away. Flybe staff will feel disgusted at this betrayal
and these broken promises.”
Almost 1,000 staff were based at Flybe’s Exeter headquarters, with Birmingham, Manchester and
Southampton important bases.
It operated 119 routes, but the vast majority of its services connected UK airports.
The collapse is the fourth notable failure of a UK airline in less than four years. Monarch went out of
business in October 2017, Flybmi in February 2019 and Thomas Cook Airlines in September 2019.