flybe. (2002) franchisees Blue Islands and Eastern Airways have each confirmed they would continue to operate as usual despite the closure of their partner yesterday. In contrast, flights currently operated by Stobart Air under a flybe. franchise agreement from London Southend (to Caen and Groningen) and on a wet-lease basis from the Isle of Man (to Birmingham, GB, Liverpool, and Manchester International) have been cancelled.
In its statement, Blue Islands said: "Blue Islands services will continue to operate as normal, following the closure of flybe. Blue Islands is saddened by the closure of flybe. Our thoughts are with the staff, passengers, industry colleagues and wider stakeholders of the business affected at this difficult time." As of March 5, Blue Islands has been operating additional flights from Jersey and Guernsey to Birmingham and Exeter to cover the some of the immediate capacity shortfall left by flybe.
In its statement, Eastern Airways said: "Passengers booked to travel today [Thursday, March 5], Friday or Sunday on flights operated by Eastern Airways should turn up and travel as normal following the closure of flybe." It added that: "Announcements will be made here on the Eastern Airways website about flights for next week onwards."
The abrupt collapse of the flybe. seemed to have caused some confusion for its passengers, with conflicting messages being issued, which Eastern sought to clarify. "For any passengers who have received an email from flybe. stating our flights are cancelled, please ignore. Eastern Airways operated flights continue as normal."
On the London Southend website, there was a simple message regarding the termination of Stobart Air-operated flybe. services: "All flybe flights have been cancelled with immediate effect. Please refer to flybe and the CAA website for more help and guidance."
On the Isle of Man government social media account, which operates the airport, its message reads: "If you are due to travel with flybe today, Thursday, March 5 2020, please do not travel to the airport."
flybe. ceased flight operations following its entry into administration on Wednesday, March 4. Its demise follows the UK regional carrier's failure to secure a GBP100 million pound (USD129 million) loan from the UK government needed to remain solvent.
The carrier, which operated fifty-four Dash 8-400s and nine E175s, is owned by Connect Airways whose shareholders include Virgin Atlantic, Stobart Group, and Cyrus Capital Partners.
