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What happened to Flybe and can I get a refund or a replacement flight?
The airline only returning to the skies in March after a two year hiatus but it was officially announced over the weekend that the company would cease trading.
Flybe made the announcement over the weekend that the company will cease trading and all flights will be cancelled as a consequence.
The airline only returning to the skies in April after a two year hiatus and was operating a popular route connected Leeds Bradford Airport with London Heathrow and Belfast, amongst other routes across the UK.
The company is some 40 years old and has long been known as a budget carrier for the UK and beyond. The most recent revival saw the company has been bought out by Thyme Opco, a company linked to former shareholder Cyrus Capital, who have changed the official company name to Flybe Limited, obtained airport slots, new operating license and route licenses ahead of their relaunch.
The official statement
Flybe made the following statement early on Saturday 28 January 2023, which can be viewed on the Flybe website.
"On 28 January 2023, the High Court appointed David Pike and Mike Pink as Joint Administrators of Flybe Limited (“Flybe”).
"Flybe has now ceased trading and all flights from and to the UK operated by Flybe have been cancelled and will not be rescheduled.
"If you are a passenger affected by this event, please read the advice below.
"If you are due to fly with Flybe today or in the future, please DO NOT TRAVEL TO THE AIRPORT unless you have arranged an alternative flight with another airline. Please note that Flybe is unfortunately not able to arrange alternative flights for passengers.
Refunds and replacement travel
Flybe has stated that: "If you have a Flybe booking sold by an intermediary (i.e. not directly with Flybe) that includes travel on a Flybe flight, please contact the relevant airline or booking / travel agent to confirm if there is any impact to your travel plans as the intermediary may be able to support you with alternative arrangements and provide further advice regarding any claim you may need to make."
"Customers are also advised to monitor the Civil Aviation Authority website for further information www.caa.co.uk/news. If you require any further information or assistance, please contact the Administrators at: flybecustomers@interpathadvisory.com".
Sky News has reported that due to the nature of the collapse of the company "refunds from the company itself will not be provided", but those with travel insurance or bookings with debit and credit cards (though it is imagined it will depend on individual policy) can request a refund themselves.
Flybe has been operating popular flights between Leeds Bradford Airport and Belfast since relaunching in April 2022. / Image: Flybe
Flybe is a budget airline with the majority of flights costing around £34.99 – £39.99 each way, but if you spent more than £100 on flights and used a credit card, reports also advised customers that this is a value protected under section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act.
There are a number of airlines offering "rescue fares" to help those with travel. The Independent reports that easyJet, British Airways and Ryanair are all airlines that may be able to help passengers trying to find replacement flights.
This is by no means the only way to organise a replacement flight or refund, and there are plenty of additional organisations that are helping customers to understand the options that they have in light of the recent news.
Please note that whilst this is the information currently being reported about the closure of Flybe as an airline, you should still make sure to check with your own booking companies to ensure that this information is up to date when trying to process your own flight booking.
Feature Image- Flybe
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Number 10 North is officially ‘open for business’ and here’s why it’s so important for Yorkshire
Number 10 North has officially 'opened for business' this week, and Andy Burnham has now explained his key reasons for launching it.
You may remember that earlier last month, Andy Burnham revealed he had intentions to create a Number 10 North if he was to become Prime Minister, with the new base expected to be a 'dominant driver of the UK's economy' once it was officially up and running... and now, fast forward to today, Number 10 North is officially 'open for business'.
Operating from Heron House in Manchester city centre, as previously reported on by The Manc, Number 10 North will be the Government’s new 'situation room for growth'.
It also brings the 'levers' of local economic growth and devolution together under one roof for the first time ever.
With the Prime Minister expected to work from Number 10 North each week, so that decisions about the country’s economic future will no longer exclusively be made in Westminster, and with other ministers also working from there on a regular basis, the Government says the move underlines its determination to 'do things differently'.
Number 10 North has officially 'opened for business' / Credit: gov.uk (via Wikimedia Commons)
Now that Number 10 North has officially opened, Andy Burnham has explained why this move is so important for Yorkshire and the north as a whole.
"For 40 years, power and resources have been sucked into the centre, and too many communities have felt forgotten, without the attention and investment they deserve," explained Andy Burnham.
"Number 10 North will change that by putting more power into every postcode across the entire country. It will be the situation room for making Britain better, the place we use to get power out of Westminster, into the hands of people at a local level, so that they can turn things around.
"The days of Whitehall resisting devolution are over, for good."
Featured Image - The Manc Group
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Pints of Knowledge, Callum Campbell’s fastest-growing event, is coming to Leeds city centre this summer
Clementine Hall
The pub night that's packing out venues across the UK is coming to Leeds.
Let us introduce you to Pints of Knowledge, a phenomenon founded by Callum Campbell that has built a social media following of more than 160,000 people.
This is different to your average night out, it's a chance to meet new people and spark interesting conversation all in the relaxing surroundings of a pub.
The event has attracted thousands to its unique mix of expert talks, conversation and community in pubs across the UK.
Image: Supplied
And if you're looking to get in on the action then you're in luck, because Pints of Knowledge is arriving at The Wardrobe on Sunday 9 August.
So, what can you expect? From landmark legal history and the hidden pressures behind big systems to the evolving language of gaslighting and radical cinema, Sunday's Leeds programme will demonstrate exactly why Pints of Knowledge has struck such a chord with audiences across the UK.
Founder Callum Campbell, who has spent more than a decade producing live events across Britain, said bringing the concept to Leeds was the natural next step - and we're so happy he thought so.
Image: Supplied
He said: "I've always wanted to bring Pints of Knowledge to more cities across England, and Leeds has such a strong appetite for ideas and conversation. Watching this grow has been amazing, and I can't wait to bring it here.
"As more people look for experiences beyond a traditional night out, Pints of Knowledge offers something different: expert speakers, thought-provoking conversations and the chance to meet new people, all in the relaxed surroundings of a pub.
"People still love going to the pub, but they're looking for more from the experience. Pints of Knowledge is about hearing incredible stories, asking questions, meeting interesting people and leaving having learned something new."
Image: Supplied
The Pints of Knowledge programme at The Wardrobe will look like this:
12pm - Human rights lawyer Mahnoor Omer presents '10 Legal Cases that Changed History'.
2pm - Georgina Shute asks 'Why billion-pound systems are built by people who can't finish their to-do lists'.
4pm - Isobel Logan explores 'Gaslighting: The Evolution of a Concept Across Art, Relationships and Politics'.
6pm - Angelos Koutsourakis will examine 'Third Cinema, The Global South & Climate Change'.
Campbell added: "One hour you can be unpacking landmark legal cases, the next you're hearing about the psychology behind gaslighting, before finishing the day exploring cinema and climate change. That's what makes Pints of Knowledge different.
"This is just the beginning. We've seen an incredible response across the UK, and we're excited to build on that by bringing Pints of Knowledge to more cities across the country.”
Pints of Knowledge takes place at The Wardrobe in Leeds on Sunday 9 August, and you can get your tickets here.
Sophie Smith -
30th January 2023 
