• Call-in Numbers: 917-633-8191 / 201-880-5508

  • Now Playing

    Title

    Artist

    Flybe entered administration in the early hours of Thursday morning. The company was the largest regional airline in Europe, meaning that thousands are now not only likely to be stranded in the UK but also across the continent. Getting home will now likely be the most important consideration, with recouping lost money being a close second.

    There may be limited resources available for people who are stranded, with most of their budgets probably already spent on the trip.

    As a result of this, people may seek out any option available to get home on the cheap.

    This could leave them susceptible to certain scams which they otherwise would have easily avoided.

    As senior consumer expert Jan Carton of Citizens Advice commented: "Unfortunately, we've found that, in these situations, scammers quickly jump on the bandwagon.

    READ MORE: Flybe flights: Airline goes bust - what are passenger rights?

    Official advice

    Official bodies like Citizens Advice have offered advice for consumers (Image: GETTY)

    Scams

    Scammers may contact affected passengers by promising they can recover money (Image: GETTY)

    "If you're a Flybe customer and you're contacted by someone offering to act for you to recover your money it's more than likely to be a scam.

    She went on to detail what options are available for people in varying circumstances: “"Flybe customers who bought tickets directly from the company won't be protected by the ATOL scheme. However, if you went through a travel agent or other third party you may be covered.

    “Some people may be able to get their money back if they paid by credit card. If people have accommodation booked, they should check the terms and conditions to see if they can get a refund.

    "If they can afford to pay for another flight, it's also worth checking if they can alter the dates.”

    DON'T MISS: 
    Martin Lewis: What happens if energy company goes bust? Top tips HERE [EXPERT]
    Monzo scam warning: Woman scammed out of £770 to fraudsters [STORY]
    Fraud warning: Britons urged to watch out - scammers targeting elderly
     [WARNING]

    Citizens Advice also provided specific advice for Flybe staff. Tracey Moss, a Senior Employment Expert for Citizens Advice detailed: “This will be a very anxious time for Flybe staff.

    "We advise them to check with the administrator and their union about whether they should go to work.

    “The uncertainty in situations like this can be very frustrating. It can help to 'get your ducks in a row' as they say: find out all the information you can, gather any financial evidence you may need to claim benefits and inform your mortgage company.”

    Advice from official authorities encourages those affected to find their own way home.

    Costly

    Getting home for many travellers will likely be very costly (Image: GETTY)

    he Civil Aviation Authority has said there will be no repatriation flights as it was not commissioned by the Government - unlike when airlines Monarch and Thomas Cook failed - because there is: "Enough capacity in the market for people to travel via alternative airlines, rail and coach operations."

    Despite this, a Government spokesman said it has asked coach and train operators to accept Flybe tickets and airlines to offer reduced fares "to ensure passengers can make their journeys as smoothly as possible".

    Thankfully, several companies seem to have already taken heed of this advice.

    Free travel for Flybe passengers and staff is being provided by all First Rail train operators, which consist of Great Western Railway, Avanti West Coast, South Western Railway and TransPennine Express.

    As Phil Whittingham, Managing Director of Avanti West Coast sympathized: "This is a very difficult time for Flybe staff and passengers. If we can help make it a bit easier, we're happy to do so."

    It should be noted however that it is currently unknown if all of Britain’s rail operators will offer supportive services.

    The Rail Delivery Group, which represents Britain's train companies, was unable to immediately confirm if free travel for Flybe passengers would be available when contacted.

    Read More


    Reader's opinions

    Leave a Reply