British regional airline Flybe goes into administration cancelling all its scheduled flights

NIGERIAN passengers who have booked holidays with British regional airline Flybe face the risk of losing their money as the company has ceased trading and has been placed into administration with all flights cancelled.

Flybe traces its history back to Jersey European Airways, which was set up in 1979 following the merger of Intra Airways and Express Air Services. Then, it was renamed British European in 2000 and Flybe in 2002 and in November 2006, Flybe purchased BA Connect, becoming the largest regional airline in Europe.

However, things have now turned sour as the company has folded, with all booked flights cancelled. Consequently, the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), has advised passengers booked with Flybe not to go to the airport.

A Flybe spokesman said: “We are sad to announce that Flybe has been placed into administration. Flybe has now ceased trading. All Flybe flights from and to the UK are cancelled and will not be rescheduled.”

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. We urge passengers planning to fly with this airline not to go to the airport as all Flybe flights are cancelled.”

Flybe had only returned to the skies in April after it crashed into bankruptcy as the coronavirus crisis erupted and destroyed much of the travel market. It operated up to 530 flights per week on routes from Belfast, Birmingham and Heathrow to cities across the UK and internationally to Amsterdam and Geneva.

Before it went bust, Flybe was a leader in the UK domestic flights sector. Its assets were purchased by Thyme Opco, which is linked to US hedge fund Cyrus Capital.