Airlines

Ryanair and EasyJet ready to snap up Flybe staff

The two low-cost carriers advise employees who lost their employment as a result of the collapse of regional airline Flybe to apply for positions with them. On Saturday, Flybe entered administration, which resulted in the layoff of 277 employees.

The British Airline Pilots’ Association reported receiving calls from worried Flybe employees in the early hours of Saturday morning. Martin Chalk, the union’s president, however, asserted that there were jobs “out there.”

EasyJet reported having 250 open positions for cabin crew. Ryanair announced on its website’s careers page that it had openings in all categories, including pilots, engineers, and ground staff.

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Following its entry into administration, Flybe has cancelled all scheduled flights to and from the UK, affecting 75,000 passengers in total. The search for alternate forms of transportation has been intense among passengers.

According to John Strickland, an aviation analyst, the majority of the Flybe personnel won’t be left completely stranded. He predicted that there would be openings and gaps because airlines hadn’t finished all of their hiring for the summer.

Applicants for new employment with Ryanair were invited to submit applications by a post on the airline’s website. “Ryanair offers positions for all of you, across all parts of our business, including flight crew, cabin crew, engineers, ground workers, and office staff,” the statement read.

While Flybe has 250 open positions at Gatwick and Luton airports, EasyJet said it was not presently recruiting pilots but would encourage Flybe cabin personnel to apply. EasyJet announced that Flybe cabin employees will be given priority and could begin working after 10 days. Within 14 days, successful candidates for head office positions could be fast processed.

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Airlines

DOT Proposes New Passenger Compensation Rules for Flight Disruptions

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has unveiled a major initiative to enhance protections for air travelers affected by flight cancellations or significant delays caused by airlines.

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This Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) seeks public feedback on new measures that could require airlines to compensate passengers and provide necessary services automatically.

Key Proposals by the DOT:

Cash Compensation for Airline-Caused Disruptions
- Airlines may be required to pay passengers at least $200 in cash for flight disruptions caused by circumstances under their control, such as mechanical issues or IT failures.
- A tiered compensation system is being considered:
  - $200–$300 for domestic delays of 3–6 hours.
  - $375–$525 for delays lasting 6–9 hours.
  - $750–$775 for delays exceeding 9 hours.
- The DOT is exploring whether smaller airlines should have different compensation thresholds and whether compensation is needed if passengers are notified weeks in advance of a disruption.
Free Rebooking on the Next Available Flight
- Airlines may be obligated to rebook passengers at no extra cost if a flight is canceled or delayed by at least 3 hours domestically or 6 hours internationally.
- Rebooking options may include:
  - Flights operated by the airline or its codeshare partners.
  - Flights on other carriers with which the airline has a commercial agreement if no suitable options are available within 24 hours.
Provision of Meals, Lodging, and Transportation
- Airlines may need to cover meals, overnight accommodations, and transportation for stranded passengers.
- Minimum reimbursements could be established when services aren’t provided upfront, ensuring passengers can recoup costs even without submitting receipts, up to a defined limit.

The DOT’s proposals draw inspiration from consumer protection frameworks in countries like Canada, Brazil, the UK, and the European Union. Research suggests that EU compensation requirements have successfully reduced the frequency and length of delays, demonstrating the effectiveness of such measures.

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Passengers currently face numerous hurdles when seeking compensation or services, including vague policies, lack of upfront communication, and reliance on in-person requests at airports. The new rulemaking aims to close these gaps by establishing clear, enforceable standards for airlines.

Public input on the proposed measures will shape the final rules. The DOT hopes these changes will create a more accountable and passenger-friendly system, ensuring travelers are better supported during disruptions.

With these proposed rules, the DOT seeks to make airline travel more reliable and fair, setting a new standard for passenger rights in the United States.