Flybe: What are passengers’ rights when flights are cancelled by a bankrupt airline? | Travel News

After Flybe goes live on Saturday, many travelers will run out of money on tickets, while others are stuck in their overseas destination.

Flybe told its passengers “don’t go to the airport” unless they have arranged alternative flights with another airline.

What rights do passengers have if your flight is cancelled?

Flybe going into administration is a different situation than when an airline that is still in operation cancels flights.

Since the company is no longer able to trade, canceled flights will not be rescheduled nor will passengers be able to rebook to other airlines.

Aviation analyst Alex Macheras told Sky News: “While the UK government has intervened in the past when larger airlines or tour groups went bust, this is not going to happen with Flybe 2.0.

“Since Flybe primarily sells ‘flight-only’ bookings, travel is not covered by ATOL, which means the company will not issue refunds.

“Anyone with a reservation will have to rely on a refund from their credit or debit card provider or by claiming travel insurance.”

He added that if a passenger booked their flight with a credit card and the amount was more than £100, they were protected under section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act.

This consumer protection law makes credit providers equally liable for any problems with a purchase – including flights.

For flights costing less than £100, section 75 does not apply and the card company is generally not liable.

Mr Macheras added: “This is why it’s best to book your travel with a credit card.

“If a debit card is already in use, a passenger can try to claim it from the card provider under the chargeback system, but this is usually a bit more difficult and not a legal right compared to a credit card.”

Some card providers will require a negative feedback letter confirming the location.

A negative response letter will be published soon according to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

Mr Macheras said: “There is also likely to be a travel insurance safety net, as around half of all UK travel insurance policies have the carrier’s scheduled failure cover. aviation (SAFI) standards.”

“If you did not book directly with Flybe and purchased your ticket through a third party, you should contact your booking or travel agent in the first place,” the CAA said.

It said if passengers went through a ticket agent, they were the first point of call and “they could have provided travel insurance that included SAFI [Scheduled Airline Failure Insurance] cover”.