flybe. (2002) (Exeter) has ceased flight operations following its entry into administration on Wednesday, March 4. The move follows the UK regional carrier's failure to secure a critical GBP100 million pound (USD129 million) loan from the UK government needed to remain solvent.

According to The Financial Times, executives reportedly told ministers flybe. could collapse imminently without state assistance.

ITV media reports indicate that lessors began repossessing their aircraft around mid-evening with administrators from EY having been positioned to various airports across the UK in preparation for a formal announcement. According to the ch-aviation fleets module, flybe. operated fifty-four Dash 8-400s and nine E175s.

The carrier is owned by Connect Airways whose shareholders include Virgin Atlantic, Stobart Group, and Cyrus Capital Partners. The consortium is said to have invested GBP30-40 million (USD39-53 million) into the airline following its takeover last year. However, that sum is said to have been insufficient to oversee both its restructuring and relaunch.