More passengers left stranded as another European airline bites the dust

Hot on the heels of British-based airline FlyBe going out of business, Norwegian budget airline Flyr has shut up shop and filed for bankruptcy.

Headquartered in Oslo and based out of Oslso Airport, Gardermoen, the airline operated domestic flights as well as between Norway and over a dozen leisure destinations across Europe.

The airline was only launched in 2020 by the team behind now-defunct Norwegian flag carrier Braathens.

Earlier this week, rhe cash-strapped airline halted all flights and ticket sales.

It said it had failed to raise further cash to continue for its operations.

"There is no longer a realistic opportunity to achieve a solution for the short-term liquidity situation,” Flyr said in a statement.

“All departures and ticket sales have been cancelled.”

More than 400 employees are expected to lose their jobs.

There was no immediate advice from Flyr to passengers stranded but airlines SAS and Norwegian said they’d sell available seats at special fares for those holding Flyr tickets.

Travel insurance usually doesn’t cover disruptions caused by bankruptcies, and any claims for money lost on prepaid hotels would need to join other creditor claims to the bankruptcy trustee.

Passengers and other creditors can file their claims on the estate by email to flyr@kvale.no

Flyr operated 12 Boeing 737 aircraft to destinations including Brussels, Prague, Paris, Berlin, London Gatwick and Edinburgh.