Air passengers could be forced to pay a £2.50 surcharge to enable collapsed airlines to carry on flying, after frustrated customers were left stranded across Europe following the collapse of British carrier Flybmi.
The charge, which currently applies to ATOL-protected package holidays, could be extended to individual flights to prevent passengers being stuck overseas.
The budget airline went into administration yesterday blaming rising fuel costs and Britain's uncertain future after Brexit, throwing holiday plans into chaos as schools break up for the February half term.
Furious passengers pointed out that Flybmi had been advertising for trips to Munich only shortly before its collapse was announced.
Passenger Andrew Holmes took this photograph of one of the final Flybmi flights which left Brussels on Friday night for Newcastle
Hannah Price, pictured, from Portishead, Somerset has been left stranded in Brussels by the collapse of Flybmi. She has been forced to rebook a ticket and faces a seven-hour journey as she must go to Amsterdam to catch her new flight to Bristol tomorrow morning
Flybmi sent this tweet on Friday morning advertising a trip to Munich, shortly before the airline went into administration
Some passengers only heard the news after checking in for their flights and clearing security while others are having to book expensive tickets on other airlines to get home.
Under the new plans, reported by The Times, passengers on all flights would pay £2.50 to be covered by the Air Travel Organiser's Licence (ATOL) scheme.
One frustrated passenger, Hannah Price from Portishead, Somerset, said she faces a seven-hour journey to get home after being stranded in Brussels.
She has been forced to travel to Amsterdam in order to get back to Bristol.
She has been visiting Brussels for business, since Monday (February 11) and was due to catch a Flybmi flight home tomorrow (Monday February 18).
But Ms Price, whose trip to Brussels has been spent sourcing goods for her clothing company, Willowknd, will now fly with Brussels Airlines.
Ms Price paid £130 for her original ticket and has still heard nothing from Flybmi about a refund.
She said: 'If I am not in the UK my business can't run. It's highly frustrating. 'It could have had a catastrophic effect on my income.
'I did panic but I'm not surprised. Brexit was one of the reasons for them saying they've gone into administration. It is incredibly sad to see this happen to our country.'
Another customer, Daniel Pope, said a 40th birthday trip for him and his wife - in which the couple planned to take their children to Disneyland as a surprise - had been thrown into confusion by the news.
Hannah Price from Portishead, Somerset said the airline's collapse is 'highly stressful and very frustrating'
Bristol Airport has seized an Embraer EMB-145 belonging to Flybmi. The airport said the airline owes it money and cannot move the jet until the bill is settled. The airline has been warned the airport might sell the aircraft to recover its cash
Flybmi passengers have been warned the airline will be unable to book them alternative flights
Accountant Richard Edwards, 47, was left stranded with his wife Charlotte, 44, and their three children Millie, 16, Fin, 14 and Bo, 12.
The family from Midhurst, West Sussex were planning to fly from Bristol to Munich when their flight was cancelled after they passed through security.
He tweeted: 'Great start to our holiday; en route with @Charlot53066691 and the family by taxi to Heathrow as our @flybmi from Bristol to Munich (which had previously been changed from Southampton) was cancelled with no explanation after we had gone through security!'
One Flybmi customer informed the airline on Twitter that they and their father were stuck in Karlstad, a city in Sweden, because of the company's collapse
Another frustrated passenger said she had been left stuck in Belgium, costing her £150
David Morgan said he had been due to travel from Derry to London when the airline collapsed
Civil Engineer Danny McLaughlin had booked 14 flights with Flybmi over the next seven weeks. The 46-year-old father-of-two commuted on a weekly basis from the City of Derry Airport to London Stansted.
He said the airline's collapse means he might not be able to make it into work on Monday.
A total of 376 employees based in the UK, Germany, Sweden and Belgium are employed by Flybmi, although Ryanair has announced it will have recruiters at East Midlands Airport tomorrow morning.
The airline's collapse had not been anticipated by the government who announced they were guaranteeing two years' additional subsidies for Flybmi's route between City of Derry Airport and Stansted.
Stranded passengers who arrived at airports posted photographs showing the cancelled flights, with one describing it ironically as 'Project Fear'
Richard Edwards and his family were due to fly from Bristol to Munich when their flight was cancelled. They had cleared security and were due to board the aircraft when the airline collapsed
Passengers appeared to heed Flybmi's advice and stayed away from the airport if they had not been able to rebook their flights with an alternative carrier. No staff or passengers were seen this morning at Flybmi's check-in area at its East Midlands airport base
The airline, which was based at East Midlands Airport, warned customers against turning up for their flights unless they managed to book travel with an alternative carrier.
Some passengers received text messages warning their flights had been cancelled.
Customers who had booked tickets that were codeshares with other airlines might still be able to travel with the second carrier.
A spokesperson for FlyBMI said: 'It is with a heavy heart that we have made this unavoidable announcement.
'The airline has faced several difficulties, including recent spikes in fuel and carbon costs, the latter arising from the EU's recent decision to exclude UK airlines from full participation in the Emissions Trading Scheme.
'These issues have undermined efforts to move the airline into profit.
'Current trading and future prospects have also been seriously affected by the uncertainty created by the Brexit process, which has led to our inability to secure valuable flying contracts in Europe and lack of confidence around BMI's ability to continue flying between destinations in Europe.'
Flybmi said uncertainty over Brexit and rises in fuel and carbon costs precipitated its collapse
Passengers took to social media to express their frustration with being stuck
Caroline Stewart said she lost £800 on flights for her Grandad's 88th birthday and her best friend's wedding
Gregor Steward expressed his disappointment at the airline's collapse this weekend
The statement added: 'Additionally, our situation mirrors wider difficulties in the regional airline industry which have been well documented.
'Against this background, it has become impossible for the airline's shareholders to continue their extensive programme of funding into the business, despite investment totalling over £40 million in the last six years.
'We sincerely regret that this course of action has become the only option open to us, but the challenges, particularly those created by Brexit, have proven to be insurmountable.
'Our employees have worked extremely hard over the last few years and we would like to thank them for their dedication to the company, as well as all our loyal customers who have flown with us over the last six years.'
Some people took the opportunity to blame Brexiteers and Nigel Farage after the company cited uncertainty over Britain's departure from the European Union as a contributory factor
British Airline Pilots' Association (Balpa) general secretary Brian Strutton said: 'The collapse of FlyBMI is devastating news for all employees.
'Regrettably Balpa had no warning or any information from the company at all.
'Our immediate steps will be to support FlyBMI pilots and explore with the directors and administrators whether their jobs can be saved.'
The airline has partnerships with companies including Brussels Airlines, Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines.
British regional airline Flybmi has cancelled all flights and entered administration, file photo
Earlier this week, Transport Secretary Chris Grayling predicted that flights between the City of Derry airport and Stansted run by Flybmi would continue because of government subsidies
It delivers passenger flights to 24 destinations in the UK and Europe but says fuel costs and Brexit uncertainty means it has to cease all operations
East Midlands airport was far less busy this morning as passengers due to fly with Flybmi heeded the airline's advice and stayed away from the terminal unless they were successful in travelling with an alternative carrier
Flybmi said it would not be able to purchase, rearrange or reschedule any flights on behalf of customers.
Andrew Holmes was on the last flight from Brussels to Newcastle on Flybmi. His return journey on Monday has been cancelled.
However, his luggage has gone missing.
He told MailOnline: 'Flybmi lost my bag on the flight and now there's no one to take any responsibility for it.
'I know the bag is at Brussels, but it's in no man's land at the moment as it's in the ownership of Flybmi.
'Furthermore, my flight Monday to Brussels 18th is obviously cancelled and again, no information is available from anyone!'
Labour MP Mary Creagh expressed sympathy for the airline's workers and families as well as those who have been stranded following the carrier's collapse
One instagram user posted a photograph of a Flybmi jet parked on the ramp this morning
Ryanair announced it would be recruiting former Flybmi staff from tomorrow at East Midlands Airport. The airline said they are looking for engineers and pilots as well as specialist roles
Mayank Khurana tweeted: 'What options now we have as we on holidays and suppose to fly tomorrow evening.'
Soy Kien Soy wrote on Facebook: 'No wonder, I tried to book a trip online this morning and one of the flights was with bmi, and the booking wouldn't go through.'
Lee Robertson said: 'So angry - took my booking only days ago - they were planning this, which they must have been, they should not have been taking bookings.'
One angry passenger called Tom wrote on Twitter: ' Hi @flybmi, have you got any tips on how I should break it to my girlfriend that our child is now not seeing his grandparents for the first time since he was born because you can't sort your finances?'
Passenger Erica Fairs who is stuck in Edinburgh told The Sun: 'My children are with my ex-husband and I need to be back on Monday to pick them up.
'I have heard nothing from FlyBMI and I'm going to have to book some flights with another airline.
'What was really weird is this week I have been trying check-in online for my return flight without success. It let me check in for my outbound but not my inbound one.'
Irish low-cost airline Ryanair announced it would be recruiting former Flybmi staff at East Midlands Airport on Monday.
The airline said it was sorry to have cancelled flights to its 25 destinations
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said travellers should contact their insurance provider as their policy may include cover for scheduled airline failure.
It advised passengers whose flights were part of a package holiday to contact the travel firm they booked with.
If the firm holds an ATOL (Air Travel Organiser's Licence), it is responsible for flight arrangements and must either make alternative flights available so the trip can continue or provide a full refund, the CAA said.
A spokesman for the Association of British Insurers (ABI) said: 'Where alternative travel plans are made, any existing travel insurance policy can usually be transferred to cover the new arrangements.'
However, the ABI said standard travel insurance policies may not cover the failure of the air carrier and said passengers should check their policy.
Some passengers were able to rebook flights with alternative airlines such as British Airways
The airline said it carried 522,000 passengers on 29,000 flights last year.
However, Flybmi's sister airline Loganair insisted the collapse of the Midlands-based company would not have an impact on its operation.
In a statement, Loganair management said: 'The two airlines are separate businesses, operating separate aircraft fleets on their own distinct route networks.
'As such, the closure of bmi Regional - which flew Embraer Regional Jet aircraft on routes throughout 12 European countries - has no impact on Loganair's continued operation, which predominantly uses turboprop aircraft on routes within the UK and in particular to, from and within the Scottish Highlands and Islands.
Football fans attending the Bristol City v Wolves match today noticed Flybmi was still advertising at the stadium
'The same challenges that have led to bmi Regional ceasing operations, including uncertainty around intra-European traffic rights post-Brexit, do not impact Loganair's business.'
Loganair also stressed it was in good shape.
'Loganair expects to return to profit in the current financial year, is carrying record passenger numbers on many of its routes and is in a strong financial position,' said Managing Director Jonathan Hinkles.
'We are actively working on options to offer employment to a number of bmi Regional staff members whilst at the same time monitoring developments elsewhere in the UK regional airline sector which could present opportunities for Loganair.'
Loganair also announced it will be expanding its services from Aberdeen, providing flights to Bristol, Oslo and Esbjerg.
Loganair said it would provide daily services Monday to Friday between Aberdeen and Esjberg - which is Denmark's fifth largest city - making this the airline's first service to the country.
Meanwhile, flights between Aberdeen and Oslo and the service from Aberdeen to Bristol will operate on weekdays as well as Sundays.
Loganair already operates 50 flights a week from Aberdeen Airport.
A spokesman added: 'Our three new routes from Aberdeen complement our existing activity across a distinct geographical area, acting as a logical fit with our network - while also markedly increasing the airline's presence in Aberdeen.'
Derry City and Strabane District Council said it was working to find an immediate replacement to provide a service from the local airport to London.
Flybmi operated two flights a day to Stansted Sunday to Friday with a single flight on Saturday.
Loganair and Ryanair are currently the only airlines which serve City of Derry Airport.
Civil engineer stranded after booking 14 flights with Flybmi over the next seven weeks
Civil engineer Danny McLaughlin, 46, booked 14 flights with Flybmi over the next seven weeks between the City of Derry Airport and Stansted to commute to work from Co Donegal to London
The news of flybmi's collapse is a cause of major concern for a father living along the Irish border who used the airline frequently for work.
Civil engineer Danny McLaughlin said it is the first direct effect he has felt living in 'Brexitland'.
The 46-year-old father-of-two had 14 flights booked through his job over the next seven weeks between City of Derry Airport and London Stansted.
Mr McLaughlin, who lives near Buncrana in Co Donegal, said he was shocked when he received a text message telling him of the airline's demise.
'I'm a bit stunned to be honest with you,' he said. 'I know airlines and things have been saying this for quite a while but it just came as a bolt out of the blue.
'I feel sorry for the staff. I haven't reached the angry stage yet, I probably will. I probably will get a bit annoyed as the weekend goes on. And on Monday morning when I can't get to work.'
The airline said uncertainty around Brexit was partly to blame for it cancelling flights and filing for administration.
Mr McLaughlin said it is the first personal inconvenience he has felt from Brexit and added that he has concerns about what lies ahead.
He said: 'I'm really in Brexitland, I'm three miles from the border. I've been across the border six times today already, and that's a normal Saturday - going to the shop, taking my son to get a haircut and to rugby.
'For me personally it's the first thing really that's affected me. And then, in 41 days' time we just don't know what's going to happen three miles up the road.
'If there's going to be no deal, and it looks that way at the minute, this area here, we're going to be hit the worst.
'I was sitting in traffic today just at the bottom of my road getting onto the main road and there was a line of cars coming both directions, and it was 50 per cent Northern Ireland registrations so it's going to affect all those people as well.'
The City of Derry Airport said that following flybmi's news it is 'reviewing options' to resume a route to Stansted.
Last week, Transport Secretary Chris Grayling confirmed the UK Government would continue to provide funding for a flight between City of Derry Airport and London for a further two years.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU'VE ALREADY BOUGHT A FLYBMI TICKET
If you are currently abroad with return flights booked with Flybmi
- Visit the CAA advice page.
- If you have Atol protection you're guaranteed a refund if an airline collapses and must be found an alternative flight home if you're stranded abroad at no further cost to you.
- You need to contact your travel agent immediately to arrange this.
- Abroad without Atol Protection? In most cases you'll need to book flights back with another alternative airline and pay for it yourself.
- Some airlines offer reduced 'repatriation fares' for stranded passengers. These are usually available by telephone only within a few hours of an airline going bust (but maybe not immediately) and last for around two weeks.
- Make sure you discuss your options and potential reimbursement with other airlines or your insurance provider before booking flights home.
- You can try to claim the cost of your original flight back, but it may be a few weeks before your claim goes through and you get the money back.
Flybmi customers need to check whether their booking has Atol protection. They may also be covered if they booked with a credit card
If you are a Flybmi customer holding a ticket for future travel
- Your rights depend on whether your booking has Atol Protection, or not.
- Atol Protection means that you are guaranteed a refund if a company collapses, and you'd be found an alternative flight home if you're stranded abroad.
- But, you won't automatically have Atol Protection if you've a flight booked - it will depend on how you booked it.
- The Atol scheme applies if you book a package holiday that involves a flight.
- When you make a holiday booking, make sure your travel company has a licence. Firms must display their Atol licence number on websites and brochures.
- Booked flights directly with the airline? If you book your flight and then book hotel accommodation through an airline's website, this may not be covered, unless it's a linked travel arrangement.
- If the airline has gone bust before you depart you need to contact your travel agent to make sure your booking is still in place. If it is, then your travel arrangements should continue relatively unaffected, although your flight times could change. It's important to keep all your booking information should there be any problems.
Passengers might be able to recover the cost of their cancelled flights
Can I recover my costs if I don't have Atol Protection?
- You could claim against your credit card company under section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act.
- To be eligible, you need to have paid more than £100 for your flights or holiday, and used your credit card to book direct with the tour operator or airline - usually this means it needs to be either the airline or holiday company listed on your credit card bill.
- But, some credit card companies will give a refund even if you've paid via a travel agent and it's the agent's name listed on your credit card bill.
- If you book a return flight, the total value must be at least £100 – if you book flights individually, each must be at least £100.
- Flights costing less than £100 booked on a credit card, or any flights booked with a debit card, may still get some protection via the chargeback scheme.
- If neither of these approaches works you'll have to join the list of creditors, but it's unlikely you'll be able to get any money back.
Rory Boland, Which? Travel Editor, said: 'Some customers have claimed that tickets were being sold in the hours before the airline went bust, knowing full well those tickets would never be honoured, and passengers will rightly be outraged if this is proved to be the case.
'As all future flights have been cancelled, Flybmi customers should explore their options for refunds. If you purchased your flight as part of a package you should be ATOL protected, which means you should get a refund. However, if you didn't book as part of a package you may be able to claim the cost back through your travel insurance or credit card issuer, but it depends on your circumstances.
Visit www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/advice/your-rights-if-an-airline-goes-bust for more information about your rights in the event of an airline going bust.
For more information on Atol, click here.
photo link
https://textbacklinkexchanges.com/ministers-plan-2-50-surcharge-on-all-flights-to-bail-out-airlines/
News Photo Ministers 'plan £2.50 surcharge on ALL flights to bail out airlines'
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