Airline Flybe cancelled dozens of flights on Wednesday morning as the company are in discussions over redundancy talks.
The regional airline has blamed a shortage of pilots and pilots being on holiday, discussions over jobs are at an early stage and the company are trying to avoid job losses.
Flybe’s chief executive Christine Ourmieres-Widener said the company are “engaging with all impacted crew.”
On the flight delays Ourmieres-Widener said we will “follow all the rules of compensation” and “we are expecting to go back to normal operation as soon as possible.”
Cardiff Airport boss Deb Barber said, “We understand Flybe is in the process of consulting with a number of its employees, including its crew at multiple bases across its network, which includes Cardiff.
“Flybe’s plan to restructure and reduce its jet operations across many bases is part of the company’s long-standing objective to stabilise the business.”
The cuts will affect Exeter and Doncast and Cardiff airports.
Peter Coulson, Unite the union regional officer said, “Unite is seeking to minimise the potential job losses and secure assurances about Flybe’s long-term future.”
He added, “It is essential that Flybe is fully transparent with its workforce about the exact situation facing the company.
“The current uncertainty is incredibly unsettling and is in danger of severely damaging morale at the company.”
Coby Benson, flight delay compensation Solicitor at Bott and Co said to LondonLovesBusiness, “Passengers affected by the Flybe cancellations should be aware of their rights. As an alternative to the refund or replacement flight that Flybe have offered for a later date, passengers should be aware that they can insist on a replacement flight at the earliest available opportunity, even if this means being placed on a flight with a rival air carrier.
“If Flybe do not put passengers on the earliest available flight then passengers can book it themselves and claim the cost back at a later date.
“If any passengers are delayed overnight then they are also entitled to free hotel accommodation whilst they wait for the replacement flight. Again, if the airline fail to provide this then passengers can recover the cost later. I would advise passengers to retain all receipts and ensure that they do not spend an unreasonable amount.
Finally, if the replacement flight departs more than one hour early or arrives more than two hours late then passengers are likely to be entitled to compensation for the delay.”
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