Airlines flybmi ceases operations

The United Kingdom-based carrier flybmi has announced it had to cease operations and is now filing for administration.

  • 2

British Midland Regional Ltd. has officially announced that it has stopped operations with immediate effect. All flights have been cancelled from February 16, 2019.

Main reasons for the company´s end are rises in fuel and carbon costs. Moreover, the uncertainty over Brexit has left the airline unstable.

Flybmi said that customers who booked directly with flybmi could contact their specific card issuer for a possible refund for a flight that has not been performed. Customer who has booked flights with flybmi via a travel agency could find out if they are eligible to claim for cancelled flights.

In total, flybmi employed a total of 376 employees. The airline had operational hubs in the UK, Germany, Sweden and Belgium. Aberdeen, Bristol, Brussels, East Midlands, Derry, Karlstad, Newcastle and Munich belonged to the important locations for the airline.

A spokesperson for flybmi explained: "It is with a heavy heart that we have made this unavoidable announcement today. 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 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. Additionally, our situation mirrors wider difficulties in the regional airline industry which have been well documented."

Flybmi´s end of operation will not only leave the employees without work, but smaller airports like Rostock-Laage in Germany will have to fight to the death, especially after Germania has filed for insolvency this month as well.

“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,” flybmi concluded the statement.          

Flybmi was originally founded in May 1987 and operated with a fleet of three Embraer 135s and 14 Embraer 145 regional aircraft. Headquarters were located at East Midlands Airport. The parent company is the Airline Investment Limited (AIL) Previous carriers bmi, and bmibaby both ceased operations by the end of 2012.

Source © flybmi.com

This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Learn more