All Flybe flights cancelled to and from Cardiff after airline stops trading

All Flybe flights have been cancelled at Cardiff Airportafter the company announced it has stopped trading and called in the administrators.

The airport said passengers expecting to travel today should not go to the airport, apart from flights to Anglesey, Teeside and Aberdeen, which will continue to operate as normal with another airline.

Europe's biggest regional airline narrowly avoided going bust in January and has continued to lose money since. In April 2019 it announced plans to close its base at Cardiff.

All flights at Cardiff Airport with other operators are flying as normal.

Over the past year, more than a quarter of Cardiff Airport's passengers took Flybe flights. Credit: PA Images

Over the past year, more than a quarter of Cardiff Airport's passengers took Flybe flights.

Deb Bowen Rees, the Chief Executive at the airport, said they were "deeply saddened" by the news and said a range of circumstances have impacted on industry including COVID-19, oil prices, Brexit and currency.

She said: "COVID-19 has been the latest thing that's tipped the balance...so it is a challenging time across the whole piece really and the airport is absolutely focused about working the whole way through."

She also said: "We are actively talking to a number of airlines about the opportunity that exists in flying to and from south Wales. Given the Flybe news we will focus on filling the core domestic routes which Flybe serve for the region.

"Flights to Anglesey, Teeside and Aberdeen will continue to operate as normal with Eastern Airways. Customers due to fly with Flybe to other destinations are advised not to travel to the Airport. All flights with other operators are flying as normal."

A Welsh Government spokesperson said they are "working closely with the UK Government and the management team at Cardiff Airport on the impact of the Flybe news."

Cardiff Airport was empty on Thursday after it cancelled all its Flybe flights. Credit: ITV Cymru Wales

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Advice for customers due to fly from Cardiff with Flybe:

  • Customers are advised not to travel to the Airport

  • Flights to Anglesey, Teeside and Aberdeen will continue to operate as normal with Eastern Airways

  • Customers that were due to fly from Cardiff and have not pre-booked and paid for car parking in advance can exit our car parks free of charge, please press the assistance button at the exit barrier

  • Customers that were due to fly from Cardiff today that have pre-booked and paid for car parking in advance should contact the company used to make the booking.

Advice for customers due to return to Cardiff with Flybe

  • Your return flight with Flybe will not operate as planned

  • Flights from Anglesey, Teeside and Aberdeen will continue to operate as normal with Eastern Airways

  • Customers who arrive back in Cardiff Airport after your expected return date will have any additional car parking fees waived on exit. Please press the assistance button at the exit barrier.

Administrators announced in the early hours of Thursday morning it had ceased trading with immediate effect.

Crisis talks were held throughout the day on Wednesday to try to secure a rescue package, but no deal was agreed.

A drop in demand caused by the coronavirus "made a difficult situation worse" for Flybe according to a source close to the airline.

A drop in demand caused by the coronavirus 'made a difficult situation worse' for Flybe according to a source close to the airline. Credit: PA Images

The Chief Executive of the company that own Flybe, Connect Airways, said "the UK has lost one of its greatest assets."

Andrew RT Davies said it raises questions over the long-term future of Cardiff Airport Credit: PA Images

Welsh Conservatives' Andrew RT Davies AM said the Welsh Government, which owns Cardiff Airport, must "pull out all the stops to support staff who wake up this morning without a job."

He said it "raises questions" over the long-term future of Cardiff Airport.

“Flybe currently accounts for a large number of flights operating out of Rhoose and has received significant taxpayer support over recent years from the Labour Welsh Government, which will now have nothing to show for it.

“This once again raises serious questions over the Labour Welsh Government’s decision-making and investment strategy, and regrettably the long-term future of Cardiff Airport.

“The economy minister must now make an urgent statement and outline his plans to reverse the declining fortunes of the airport.”

The Welsh Government said it is working with the UK Government following the news.

Ken Skates AM, Minister for Economy, Transport and North Wales, said Cardiff Airport is looking for other carriers to pick up routes impacted and confirmed Logan air had taken over the Edinburgh to Cardiff route.

He said: "Logan air has already agreed to take over 16 routes (across the UK), including Edinburgh to Cardiff. Daily flights will commence on 23 March 2020 and from September, there will be 10 flights weekly."

Across the UK there is huge pressure on regional airports and the impact of the Flybe news only increases those pressures further. The UK Government could have avoided this news by providing proactive support to Flybe to assist them through this difficult financial situation. It is devastating for the workforce and the families of those affected that they chose not to.I want to reiterate in the strongest possible terms that the UK Government now needs to act urgently and inject real and genuine pace into the regional connectivity review it has begun."

Flybe employs 2,500 staff and carried 8 million passengers last year. 40% of its flights were UK domestic.