TEESSIDE Airport passengers will not have to change flights booked through Flybe, it has been confirmed. 

The airline went into administration overnight.

Ben Houchen, the Tees Valley mayor, has moved to assure passengers that Teesside Airport will not be affected by the collapse of Flybe.

It has been reported that their planes have been 'impounded at UK airports' and passengers turned away.

The low-cost carrier had been hit by a slump in bookings since the outbreak of the coronavirus and was facing fresh doubts over its future after failing to secure a £100 million loan.

Mr Houchen has worked to revitalise the Teesside Airport, with Eastern Airways playing a major role in its rebirth amid a flurry of new flights being recently announced.

Eastern Airways operate as a franchise partner of Flybe, but own their own aircraft and employ their own flight and cabin crew.

To minimise any disruption Eastern Airways will be implementing a new booking engine independent of the one provided by Flybe.

It has now confirmed that it will accept all bookings made through Flybe, without passengers having to rebook.

Mr Houchen said: "I am absolutely delighted that Eastern Airways have agreed to honour all existing Flybe bookings for all flights departing Teesside International.

“All people have to do if turn up to the airport as normal and show the checking desk their Flybe booking confirmation and that booking will be honoured. This means that our airport is completely unaffected by the Flybe collapse.

“This decision by Eastern Airways is testament to their commitment to Teesside and our airport, and to doing the right thing for local people across Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool.

"My thoughts are with all the workers at Flybe as well as all the holidaymakers who have bookings with Flybe in the pipeline from other airports.”

Passengers had previously been told that they would have to rebook flights, though Eastern had agreed to honour ticket prices. 

Flights booked for today, Friday or Sunday will operate as normal from Teesside and passengers should arrive at the airport as normal for their flights.

Eastern Airways is in the process of implementing a new booking engine. Details will be available at www.EasternAirways.com in due course.