By clicking a retailer link you consent to third-party cookies that track your onward journey. This enables W? to receive an affiliate commission if you make a purchase, which supports our mission to be the UK's consumer champion.
Five Flybmi routes taken over by Loganair
Loganair has announced that it will take on five of the routes previously run by Flybmi, which went bust last week. However, Flybmi passengers who have already booked tickets for these routes will be required to buy another one - despite the fact that Flybmi and Loganair are subsidiaries of the same parent company, Airline Investments Limited.
Regional UK airline Loganair has 'stepped in' to run five Flybmi routes: three from Aberdeen airport and two from Newcastle. All five routes will start running in March. It has also expressed interest in taking on other Flybmi routes.
When Which? Travel approached Loganair to ask if it would honour the tickets of Flybmi passengers on these routes, it stated that 'customers who have booked through Flybmi will have to purchase new tickets if they wish to travel'.
Flybmi passengers are therefore being asked to pay for the same route twice.
Who is Airline Investments Limited?
Established in 2012, Airline Investments Limited was the holding company for both Loganair and Flybmi, until the latter went into administration. It remains the owner of Loganair.
Records on Companies House show that Airline Investments Limited accounts are also overdue.
Loganair responds
A spokesperson for Loganair said: 'Loganair and Flybmi, which has unfortunately ceased trading, are two completely separate companies with different booking systems. Due to strict rules around data protection, Loganair is unable to access Flybmi'spassenger details or payment information.'
At the time of publication, Loganair hadn't given us contact information for Airline Investments Limited to comment.
Why did Flybmi collapse?
British Midland Regional Limited, which operated as Flybmi, said it filed for administration because of pressures caused by the rise in fuel and carbon costs, and challenges created by uncertainty over Brexit.
A statement on its website reads: 'The airline has faced several difficulties, including recent spikes in fuel and carbon costs, the latter arising from the EU's recent decision to exclude UK airlines from full participation in the Emissions Trading Scheme. These issues have undermined efforts to move the airline into profit.'
If you booked tickets directly with Flybmi that cost more than £100 and you used a credit card, you couldmake a Section 75 claim with your credit provider to get the cost of the cancelled flight refunded.
