These controls were put in place to safeguard consumer funds in the event of Flybe’s collapse to allow customers to seek a refund on their original booking.
Blue Islands said they had not been able to avoid customers having to rebook their flights via their website, which was restored last week, despite “sustained efforts”.
As a temporary measure, they have introduced “fixed, mid-range single fares” all of which include 23kg baggage. The airline said further booking options and arrangements will become available over the coming weeks.
The airline CEO, Rob Veron, described the situation as “unprecedented” and said teams had worked “tirelessly” since Wednesday last week to find solutions that would benefit the maximum number of people affected.
“We apologise to our customers for asking them to make and pay for a new booking. This was something we have been working very hard to avoid, but to ensure business continuity and because we do not have full visibility of previous bookings, we have no alternative but to ask passengers to rebook,” Rob Veron, CEO Blue Islands, said.
“We also acknowledge that some customers will face paying more to rebook than their original ticket price. Despite our best efforts, this has been unavoidable, and we apologise to those passengers.
“Many customers will pay less, and many customers will benefit more from this fixed price versus the usual dynamic pricing model.”
Those travelling today (Monday 9 March) do not need to rebook and should go to the airport and check-in as normal as Blue Islands assured they would honour these flights without further payment.
Pictured: Rob Veron, Blue Islands CEO.
Customers should refer to the Civil Aviation Authority website for further information, or contact the credit card company that was used for payment. In some instances, banks are proactively contacting customers who they know booked with Flybe. Some also have published information about refunds on their websites.
Blue Islands said they are engaging with the administrators of Flybe regarding bookings and will update passengers if the situation changes.