Cabin crew working on one of collapsed Flybe’s last ever flights told passengers they hoped to take-off before authorities ‘change their mind’ during the carrier’s chaotic final hours.
Confused staff were heard apologising for delays over the on-board loud speaker as it emerged the airline had plunged into administration while others were told they had lost their jobs as planes sat on the runway.
Thousands of travellers were left stranded at airports across the UK and Europe as all Flybe flights were grounded with ‘immediate effect’, with many sent texts at 2am informing them of cancellations.
One air hostess was recorded on a Belfast bound flight as it sat on the tarmac at Manchester airport thanking passengers ‘for their patience’ while they worked through a ‘difficult situation with the airport authorities and the airlines management.’
She added: ‘We are so sorry for the inconvenience this has caused you and we thank you very much for your patience.
‘We are getting ready to go now, so please make sure all your phones are back off, seatbelts are back on, and we shall get moving as soon as we possibly can before they change their mind.’
Flybe planes parked up at Birmingham Airport this morning as Europe’s biggest regional airline collapsed into administration last night
Passengers told of how they waited hours on their flight before being escorted off before the plane even took-off (pictured, passengers waiting at Manchester Airport last night)
Frank McCready, of Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, who was on another of Flybe’s final flights – a trip from Birmingham to Glasgow, which was diverted to Manchester last night.
He said staff were ‘confused’ and getting ‘mixed messages’ as the plane changed course, being told it was a ‘refuelling issue.’
He said when they landed at Manchester Airport, they were finally informed the airline had been placed into administration.
Mr McCready said: ‘It was quite emotional and tough times as you can imagine. The passengers were very patient and a collection was done among everyone on the plane for those affected.
‘We were patient because I think we realised a delay for us is nothing compared to potential job losses.
Flybe’s website has stopped working and an error message appears upon loading stating the link is ‘no longer live’
Passengers were taken off a plane at Manchester after hours of waiting on the tarmac last night
Passengers reported being turned away from their flights yesterday evening as staff informed them there would be no more flights (pictured, an impounded plane in Glasgow)
‘Everyone’s thoughts are with all the Flybe staff affected. Everyone’s main concerns are for them.’
A flight bound for Devon was among those grounded.
One of those on board a plane sat on the runway at Manchester Airport was Phil Hoult, who spoke to Devon Live.
Mr Hoult, who lives in Exeter, said: ‘I’m stuck on a plane at Manchester Airport. The captain has told us we won’t be flying anywhere and I think we’re going to be kicked out with nowhere to go.
The check-in desk for Flybe at Manchester Airport was empty yesterday evening following the collapse of the airline
‘We think it’s because of Flybe not being able to pay the airport fees but there’s no regard for any passengers.
‘The flight is full, maybe 200 people and it’s very hot. It’s not good and nobody knows what’s going to happen.’
Jeff Morton, works in property, also spoke of being trapped on a plane.
He told MailOnline: ‘Sad day that Flybe has collapsed. I boarded the 8.40pm at Manchester headed for Southampton but at 10.50pm we are told we will be getting off the plane and not flying anywhere.
‘The captain and crew have been marvellous considering what this event means to them personally and all the Flybe staff.
‘It’s very quiet on the plane we have sat here for some hours earlier we were actually moving going for take off quite close to the scheduled departure time but suddenly engines were off and we were called back to the stand.’
Others told of how they had been left ‘stranded’ at airports including Manchester after the collapse of the low-cost airline.
‘Just off Flybe flight and stranded at Manchester Airport,’ one said. While another said: ‘My daughter is due to fly home with Flybe tomorrow night. She’s stranded on her own. All said and done though, I really feel for the staff. Sad day.’
Overnight the airline’s signage was already being removed from displays at Exeter Airport.
The airline’s website has stopped working and an error message appears upon loading stating the link is ‘no longer live’.
Mark Anderson, the CEO of Flybe, last night told of his ‘enormous sadness’ in a letter to staff in which he said E&Y are expected to be appointed as administrators for the company.
He told of how coronavirus had put ‘pressure on an already difficult situation’ and said he appreciated how ‘distressing this news is and the shock and numbness’ staff will be feeling.
Flybe’s collapse will put 2,300 jobs at risk and could cost customers tens of thousands of pounds in lost holidays.
Many were also expected to be left stranded across the UK and Europe.
Crisis talks were held throughout the day on Wednesday to try to secure a rescue package, but no deal was agreed.
Passengers with bookings for Thursday’s flights were told by text at 2am: ‘All Flybe and Stobart Air operated flights have been cancelled with immediate effect.
‘Please do not travel to the airport as your flight will not be operating. If you are booked to travel on a Blue Islands or Eastern Airways operated flight, these are expected to still operate.’
Flybe’s collapse sparked fierce condemnation from unions and politicians.
The carrier narrowly avoided going bust in January but continued to lose money since then.
A drop in demand caused by the coronavirus ‘made a difficult situation worse’ for Flybe, an airline source told the PA news agency.
The airline announced in the early hours of Thursday it had ceased trading with immediate effect and that administrators had been appointed.
All Flybe flights and those operated by sister airline Stobart Air have been cancelled, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said in a statement. Flybe was bought by a consortium of Virgin Atlantic, Stobart Group and Cyrus Capital in February 2019, after running into earlier financial problems.
The CAA said it has not been commissioned by the Government to operate flights to repatriate stranded travellers – as happened when airlines Monarch and Thomas Cook failed – because there is ‘enough capacity in the market for people to travel via alternative airlines, rail and coach operations’.
A Government spokesman said it has asked coach and train operators to accept Flybe tickets and airlines to offer reduced fares ‘to ensure passengers can make their journeys as smoothly as possible’.
In a statement, chief executive Mark Anderson said the company had made ‘every possible attempt’ to avoid collapse but had been ‘unable to overcome significant funding challenges’.
‘The UK has lost one of its greatest regional assets,’ Mr Anderson said.
‘Flybe has been a key part of the UK aviation industry for four decades, connecting regional communities, people and businesses across the entire nation.
‘I thank all our partners and the communities we have been privileged to serve. Above all I would like to thank the Flybe team for their incredible commitment and dedication.’
Mark Anderson, the CEO of Flybe, last night told of his ‘enormous sadness’ in a letter to staff in which he said Ernst & Young are expected to be appointed as administrators for the company
Speaking to Sky News, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the Government would be asking other travel operators ‘to assist’ stranded passengers but did not say who would be paying for the arrangements.
‘The concern is for people who have found themselves stranded and we’ve got people at the airport to be able to assist and we’re writing to all the other companies – coach companies, train companies – and asking them to assist,’ he said.
Earlier today the Transport Secretary tweeted it was ‘very sad’ the airline had gone out of business and said the Government would be working with Flybe’s staff to help them ‘find new work in travel or other industries’.
Unions and politicians have reacted angrily over the collapse of the company – which had a staff of around 2,000 – just weeks after the company narrowly avoided going under.
Flybe planes grounded at Exeter Airport last night as it emerged the airline had collapsed into administration
Oliver Richardson, national officer for major airline industry union Unite, told the PA news agency: ‘Unite members and the entire staff at Flybe, will be feeling angry and confused about how and why the airline has been allowed to collapse.
‘It is simply outrageous that the government has not learned the lessons following the collapse of both Monarch and Thomas Cook that the much promised airline insolvency review has still not materialised.
‘While other European countries are able to introduce measures to keep airlines flying when they enter administration, the UK remains unable or unwilling to do so.’
Andy McDonald, Shadow Transport Secretary, said the loss of Flybe would cause ‘real anxiety’ throughout the country.
He said: ‘The Civil Aviation Authority is sadly very well practised, following the collapse of Monarch and Thomas Cook, at responding to airline failure and looking after passengers. No doubt they will do that once more.
‘Yet again more airline workers face an anxious future and the Government has to respond and provide them with all necessary support.’
UK Civil Aviation Authority chief Richard Moriarty 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 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.’
A spokesman from the Department for Transport said government staff would be on hand at all affected UK airports to assist Flybe passengers in making alternative arrangements.
‘The vast majority of Flybe routes are served by different transport options, and we have asked bus and train operators to accept Flybe tickets and other airlines to offer reduced rescue fares to ensure passengers can make their journeys as smoothly as possible,’ the spokesman said.
‘We know this will be a worrying time for Flybe staff and our Jobcentre Plus Rapid Response Service stands ready to help them find a new job as soon as possible.
‘We are working closely with industry to minimise any disruption to routes operated by Flybe, including by looking urgently at how routes not already covered by other airlines can be re-established by the industry.’