Flybmi blames Brexit for collapse
LONDON 17 Feb (ANA) - Airline Flybmi has ceased trading, citing the "uncertainty created by the Brexit process".
The airline, which operated 17 aircraft on routes to 25 European cities, said all its flights have been cancelled with immediate effect.
Customers have been advised to contact their banks to obtain refunds for flights which have not yet taken place.
The airline's collapse was immediately seized on by anti-Brexit campaigners.
Labour and Co-operative MP and People's Vote supporter Chris Leslie said: "The effects of uncertainty and a lack of investment caused by the government’s disastrous plans for Brexit are now starting to be seen clearly in business and manufacturing, costing jobs and putting livelihoods at risk."
The east Midlands-based company, which employed 376 people, said in a statement on Saturday: “It is with a heavy heart that we have made this unavoidable announcement today.
“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. Current trading and future prospects have also been seriously affected by the uncertainty created by the Brexit process, which has led to our inability to secure valuable flying contracts in Europe and lack of confidence around Bmi’s ability to continue flying between destinations in Europe.
"Additionally, our situation mirrors wider difficulties in the regional airline industry which have been well documented."(ANA)

FA/ANA/17 February 2019------