#Flybe collapses as #coronavirus outbreak takes toll

Flybe has collapsed. All future flights on the Exeter-based airline have been cancelled – leaving more than 2,300 staff facing an uncertain future, and wrecking the travel plans of hundreds of thousands of passengers.

The official announcement was made just after 3am. But it had been clear from late on Wednesday that the airline was going out of business.

Passengers with bookings for Thursday’s flights were told by text at 2am: “All Flybe and Stobart Air operated flights have been cancelled with immediate effect.

“Please do not travel to the airport as your flight will not be operating. If you are booked to travel on a Blue Islands or Eastern Airways operated flight, these are expected to still operate.”