Derry Airport has said it is reviewing options to resume flights to London Stansted with a new airline as soon as possible.
It's after regional airline Flybmi collapsed and cancelled all its flights with immediate effect.
The UK based airline - which has 17 planes and employs 376 people - said Brexit and rising fuel costs are among the reasons for its demise.
Thousands of passengers who have had their travel plans disrupted are being advised to contact card companies and travel agents for refunds.
Flybmi
Fly BMI has operated the only connection between Derry and London for a number of years.
In a statement on its website, City of Derry Airport urged any passengers booked on the service not to travel to the airport.
It said it is “reviewing options for resuming the service with another airline as soon as possible.”
“The airline has issued the following advice for those due to fly,” it said.
“People who booked directly with Flybmi should contact their card issuer to seek a refund.
“Passengers who booked via a travel agent or one of Flybmi's partner airlines should contact them to see what their options are. Those with travel insurance should see if they are eligible to claim for cancelled flights.”
"Dismay"
Yesterday evening, DUP MP Gregory Campbell said the new has been greeted with dismay in the northwest.
He said UK Transport Secretary Chris Grayling has told him he remains hopeful a new operator will agree to take on the route.
Unions in the UK have said news of the collapse is "devastating” for staff.
The British Airline Pilots' Association said it had no advanced warning of the decision to file for administration.
"Bolt out of the blue"
Meanwhile, passengers affected by the collapse have been voicing their frustration after having their travel plans thrown into chaos.
Civil engineer Danny McLaughlin had 14 flights booked with Flybmi between City of Derry Airport and London Stansted over the next seven weeks.
I have 14 flights booked with them for the next 7 weeks..!!😳 https://t.co/me67tbgQz9
— Danny McLaughlin (@Danny_McTurner) February 16, 2019
The father-of-two, who lives near Buncrana in County Donegal, said he was shocked when he received a text message telling him of the airline's demise.
"I know airlines and things have been saying this for quite a while but it just came as a bolt out of the blue," he said.
"I feel sorry for the staff. I haven't reached the angry stage yet, I probably will.
"I probably will get a bit annoyed as the weekend goes on. And on Monday morning when I can't get to work."
Meanwhile, Richard Edwards tweeted that he and his family had gone through security at Bristol Airport when he was told his Flybmi flight to Munich had been cancelled.
Great start to our holiday; en route with @Charlot53066691 and the family by taxi to Heathrow as our @flybmi from Bristol to Munich (which had previously been changed from Southampton) was cancelled with no explanation after we had gone through security! 😬😬😬
— Richard Edwards (@RA_Edwards9) February 16, 2019
