'Please do not go to the airport': This is everything you need to know if you booked a flight with Flybe

Flybe, the largest regional airline in Europe, has gone bust but what does this mean for travellers?
Flybe, the largest regional airline in Europe, has gone bust but what does this mean for travellers?Flybe, the largest regional airline in Europe, has gone bust but what does this mean for travellers?
Flybe, the largest regional airline in Europe, has gone bust but what does this mean for travellers?

How many people are affected by the collapse?

Flybe carried about eight million passengers a year between 71 airports across the UK and Europe.

The collapse could leave thousands of people stranded across the UK and Europe.

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The company also has around 2,000 staff who have lost their jobs.

The Civil Aviation Authority has advised people not go to the airport as your flight will not be operating.

Commenting, Richard Moriarty Chief Executive at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said “This is a sad day for UK aviation and we know that Flybe’s decision to stop trading will be very 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. For the latest advice, Flybe customers should visit the CAA website or the CAA’s Twitter feed for more information.

Flybe, the largest regional airline in Europe, has gone bust but what does this mean for travellers?Flybe, the largest regional airline in Europe, has gone bust but what does this mean for travellers?
Flybe, the largest regional airline in Europe, has gone bust but what does this mean for travellers?
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“Flybe also operated a number of codeshare partnerships with international airlines. If you have an international ticket you should make contact with that airline to confirm your travel arrangements.”

What happens to customers already on holiday?

When previous airlines such as Monarch Airlines and Thomas Cook collapsed, the Civil Aviation Authority was ordered by the Department for Transport to launch a major repatriation operation to fly them home.

It is not yet clear whether the Government will order a widespread repatriation of stranded passengers.

Who would pay for this?

When Monarch Airlines went bust in October 2017, the Government spent £60 million hiring planes to get passengers home while bringing back Thomas Cook passengers has been estimated to have cost even more.

Will travellers get a refund?

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Some travel insurance companies will cover cancelled flights if they are the result of an airline collapse, but not all policies provide this coverage.

If you purchased travel insurance that includes cover for scheduled airline failure, known as SAFI, you should contact your insurer.

Holidaymakers can apply to their credit or debit card provider to be reimbursed.

If you booked directly with Flybe and paid by credit card you may be protected under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 and should contact your card issuer for further information.

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Similarly, if you paid by debit or charge card you should contact your card issuer for advice as you may be able to make a claim under their charge back rules.

Flights bought directly from airlines such as Flybe are not generally Atol protected but those bought through a separate travel company may be covered.

What is the Atol scheme?

Atol provides protection to holidaymakers when travel firms collapse.

If you have booked a trip that includes flights and hotels with a travel firm that holds an ATOL and received confirmation that you are ATOL protected, the travel firm is responsible for your flight arrangements and must either make alternative flights available for you so that your trip can continue or provide a full refund.

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If you are abroad, it should make arrangements to bring you home at the end of your trip. Contact the ATOL travel firm for more information.

What type of bookings are protected?

The scheme protects most trips booked as a package, such as flights and accommodation, or flights and car hire. It also applies to some flight-only bookings, particularly when the tickets are not received immediately.

What protection does it offer?

If a business collapses while you are on holiday, the scheme will make sure you can finish your holiday and return home.

Customers who have not yet left home will be given a refund or replacement holiday.