Frustrated passengers have been left stranded across Europe today after the collapse of British airline Flybmi.

The budget airline went into administration yesterday blaming rising fuel costs and Britain's uncertain future after Brexit, throwing holiday plans into chaos as schools break up for the February half term.

Some passengers only heard the news after checking in for their flights and clearing security while others are having to book expensive tickets on other airlines to get home.

Passenger Andrew Holmes took this photograph of one of the final Flybmi flights which left Brussels on Friday night for Newcastle

Hannah Price, pictured, from Portishead, Somerset has been left stranded in Brussels by the collapse of Flybmi. She has been forced to rebook a ticket and faces a seven-hour journey as she must go to Amsterdam to catch her new flight to Bristol tomorrow morning

Ms Price, pictured, said this situation has made it more difficult for her to run her business

Hannah Price from Portishead, Somerset said the airline's collapse is 'highly stressful and very frustrating'

Hannah Price from Portishead, Somerset, said she faces a seven-hour journey to get home after being stranded in Brussels.

She has been forced to travel to Amsterdam in order to get back to Bristol.

She has been visiting Brussels for business, since Monday (February 11) and was due to catch a Flybmi flight home tomorrow (Monday February 18).

But Ms Price, whose trip to Brussels has been spent sourcing goods for her clothing company, Willowknd, will now fly with Brussels Airlines.

Ms Price paid £130 for her original ticket and has still heard nothing from Flybmi about a refund.

She said: 'If I am not in the UK my business can't run. It's highly frustrating.

'It could have had a catastrophic effect on my income.

'I did panic but I'm not surprised. Brexit was one of the reasons for them saying they've gone into administration.

'It is incredibly sad to see this happen to our country.'

Bristol Airport has seized an Embraer EMB-145 belonging to Flybmi. The airport said the airline owes it money and cannot move the jet until the bill is settled. The airline has been warned the airport might sell the aircraft to recover its cash

Flybmi passengers have been warned the airline will be unable to book them alternative flights

Accountant Richard Edwards, 47, was left stranded with his wife Charlotte, 44, and their three children Millie, 16, Fin, 14 and Bo, 12.

The family from Midhurst, West Sussex were planning to fly from Bristol to Munich when their flight was cancelled after they passed through security.

He tweeted: '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!'

One Flybmi customer informed the airline on Twitter that they and their father were stuck in Karlstad, a city in Sweden, because of the company's collapse

Another frustrated passenger said she had been left stuck in Belgium, costing her £150

David Morgan said he had been due to travel from Derry to London when the airline collapsed

Civil Engineer Danny McLaughlin had booked 14 flights with Flybmi over the next seven weeks. The 46-year-old father-of-two commuted on a weekly basis from the City of Derry Airport to London Stansted.

He said the airline's collapse means he might not be able to make it into work on Monday.

A total of 376 employees based in the UK, Germany, Sweden and Belgium are employed by Flybmi, although Ryanair has announced it will have recruiters at East Midlands Airport tomorrow morning.

The airline's collapse had not been anticipated by the government who announced they were guaranteeing two years' additional subsidies for Flybmi's route between City of Derry Airport and Stansted.

Stranded passengers who arrived at airports posted photographs showing the cancelled flights, with one describing it ironically as 'Project Fear'

Richard Edwards and his family were due to fly from Bristol to Munich when their flight was cancelled. They had cleared security and were due to board the aircraft when the airline collapsed

Passengers appeared to heed Flybmi's advice and stayed away from the airport if they had not been able to rebook their flights with an alternative carrier. No staff or passengers were seen this morning at Flybmi's check-in area at its East Midlands airport base

The airline, which was based at East Midlands Airport, warned customers against turning up for their flights unless they managed to book travel with an alternative carrier.

Some passengers received text messages warning their flights had been cancelled.

Customers who had booked tickets that were codeshares with other airlines might still be able to travel with the second carrier.

A spokesperson for FlyBMI said: 'It is with a heavy heart that we have made this unavoidable announcement.

'The airline has faced several difficulties, including recent spikes in fuel and carbon costs, the latter arising from the EU's recent decision to exclude UK airlines from full participation in the Emissions Trading Scheme.

'These issues have undermined efforts to move the airline into profit.

'Current trading and future prospects have also been seriously affected by the uncertainty created by the Brexit process, which has led to our inability to secure valuable flying contracts in Europe and lack of confidence around BMI's ability to continue flying between destinations in Europe.'

Flybmi said uncertainty over Brexit and rises in fuel and carbon costs precipitated its collapse

Passengers took to social media to express their frustration with being stuck

Caroline Stewart said she lost £800 on flights for her Grandad's 88th birthday and her best friend's wedding

Gregor Steward expressed his disappointment at the airline's collapse this weekend

The statement added: 'Additionally, our situation mirrors wider difficulties in the regional airline industry which have been well documented.

'Against this background, it has become impossible for the airline's shareholders to continue their extensive programme of funding into the business, despite investment totalling over £40 million in the last six years.

'We sincerely regret that this course of action has become the only option open to us, but the challenges, particularly those created by Brexit, have proven to be insurmountable.

'Our employees have worked extremely hard over the last few years and we would like to thank them for their dedication to the company, as well as all our loyal customers who have flown with us over the last six years.'

Some people took the opportunity to blame Brexiteers and Nigel Farage after the company cited uncertainty over Britain's departure from the European Union as a contributory factor

British Airline Pilots' Association (Balpa) general secretary Brian Strutton said: 'The collapse of FlyBMI is devastating news for all employees.

'Regrettably Balpa had no warning or any information from the company at all.

'Our immediate steps will be to support FlyBMI pilots and explore with the directors and administrators whether their jobs can be saved.'

The airline has partnerships with companies including Brussels Airlines, Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines.

British regional airline Flybmi has cancelled all flights and entered administration, file photo

Earlier this week, Transport Secretary Chris Grayling predicted that flights between the City of Derry airport and Stansted run by Flybmi would continue because of government subsidies

It delivers passenger flights to 24 destinations in the UK and Europe but says fuel costs and Brexit uncertainty means it has to cease all operations

East Midlands airport was far less busy this morning as passengers due to fly with Flybmi heeded the airline's advice and stayed away from the terminal unless they were successful in travelling with an alternative carrier

Flybmi said it would not be able to purchase, rearrange or reschedule any flights on behalf of customers.

Andrew Holmes was on the last flight from Brussels to Newcastle on Flybmi. His return journey on Monday has been cancelled.

However, his luggage has gone missing.

He told MailOnline: 'Flybmi lost my bag on the flight and now there's no one to take any responsibility for it.

'I know the bag is at Brussels, but it's in no man's land at the moment as it's in the ownership of Flybmi.

'Furthermore, my flight Monday to Brussels 18th is obviously cancelled and again, no information is available from anyone!'

Labour MP Mary Creagh expressed sympathy for the airline's workers and families as well as those who have been stranded following the carrier's collapse

One instagram user posted a photograph of a Flybmi jet parked on the ramp this morning

Ryanair announced it would be recruiting former Flybmi staff from tomorrow at East Midlands Airport. The airline said they are looking for engineers and pilots as well as specialist roles

Mayank Khurana tweeted: 'What options now we have as we on holidays and suppose to fly tomorrow evening.'

Soy Kien Soy wrote on Facebook: 'No wonder, I tried to book a trip online this morning and one of the flights was with bmi, and the booking wouldn't go through.'

Lee Robertson said: 'So angry - took my booking only days ago - they were planning this, which they must have been, they should not have been taking bookings.'

One angry passenger called Tom wrote on Twitter: ' Hi @flybmi, have you got any tips on how I should break it to my girlfriend that our child is now not seeing his grandparents for the first time since he was born because you can't sort your finances?'

Passenger Erica Fairs who is stuck in Edinburgh told The Sun: 'My children are with my ex-husband and I need to be back on Monday to pick them up.

'I have heard nothing from FlyBMI and I'm going to have to book some flights with another airline.

'What was really weird is this week I have been trying check-in online for my return flight without success. It let me check in for my outbound but not my inbound one.'

Irish low-cost airline Ryanair announced it would be recruiting former Flybmi staff at East Midlands Airport on Monday.

The airline said it was sorry to have cancelled flights to its 25 destinations

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said travellers should contact their insurance provider as their policy may include cover for scheduled airline failure.

It advised passengers whose flights were part of a package holiday to contact the travel firm they booked with.

If the firm holds an ATOL (Air Travel Organiser's Licence), it is responsible for flight arrangements and must either make alternative flights available so the trip can continue or provide a full refund, the CAA said.

A spokesman for the Association of British Insurers (ABI) said: 'Where alternative travel plans are made, any existing travel insurance policy can usually be transferred to cover the new arrangements.'

However, the ABI said standard travel insurance policies may not cover the failure of the air carrier and said passengers should check their policy.

Some passengers were able to rebook flights with alternative airlines such as British Airways

The airline said it carried 522,000 passengers on 29,000 flights last year.

However, Flybmi's sister airline Loganair insisted the collapse of the Midlands-based company would not have an impact on its operation.

In a statement, Loganair management said: 'The two airlines are separate businesses, operating separate aircraft fleets on their own distinct route networks.

'As such, the closure of bmi Regional - which flew Embraer Regional Jet aircraft on routes throughout 12 European countries - has no impact on Loganair's continued operation, which predominantly uses turboprop aircraft on routes within the UK and in particular to, from and within the Scottish Highlands and Islands.

Football fans attending the Bristol City v Wolves match today noticed Flybmi was still advertising at the stadium

'The same challenges that have led to bmi Regional ceasing operations, including uncertainty around intra-European traffic rights post-Brexit, do not impact Loganair's business.'

Loganair also stressed it was in good shape.

'Loganair expects to return to profit in the current financial year, is carrying record passenger numbers on many of its routes and is in a strong financial position,' said Managing Director Jonathan Hinkles.

'We are actively working on options to offer employment to a number of bmi Regional staff members whilst at the same time monitoring developments elsewhere in the UK regional airline sector which could present opportunities for Loganair.'

Loganair also announced it will be expanding its services from Aberdeen, providing flights to Bristol, Oslo and Esbjerg.

Loganair said it would provide daily services Monday to Friday between Aberdeen and Esjberg - which is Denmark's fifth largest city - making this the airline's first service to the country.

Meanwhile, flights between Aberdeen and Oslo and the service from Aberdeen to Bristol will operate on weekdays as well as Sundays.

Loganair already operates 50 flights a week from Aberdeen Airport.

A spokesman added: 'Our three new routes from Aberdeen complement our existing activity across a distinct geographical area, acting as a logical fit with our network - while also markedly increasing the airline's presence in Aberdeen.'

Derry City and Strabane District Council said it was working to find an immediate replacement to provide a service from the local airport to London.

Flybmi operated two flights a day to Stansted Sunday to Friday with a single flight on Saturday.

Loganair and Ryanair are currently the only airlines which serve City of Derry Airport.

Civil engineer stranded after booking 14 flights with Flybmi over the next seven weeks Civil engineer Danny McLaughlin, 46, booked 14 flights with Flybmi over the next seven weeks between the City of Derry Airport and Stansted to commute to work from Co Donegal to London The news of flybmi's collapse is a cause of major concern for a father living along the Irish border who used the airline frequently for work. Civil engineer Danny McLaughlin said it is the first direct effect he has felt living in 'Brexitland'. The 46-year-old father-of-two had 14 flights booked through his job over the next seven weeks between City of Derry Airport and London Stansted. Mr McLaughlin, who lives near Buncrana in Co Donegal, said he was shocked when he received a text message telling him of the airline's demise. 'I'm a bit stunned to be honest with you,' he said. 'I know airlines and things have been saying this for quite a while but it just came as a bolt out of the blue. '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.' The airline said uncertainty around Brexit was partly to blame for it cancelling flights and filing for administration. Mr McLaughlin said it is the first personal inconvenience he has felt from Brexit and added that he has concerns about what lies ahead. He said: 'I'm really in Brexitland, I'm three miles from the border. I've been across the border six times today already, and that's a normal Saturday - going to the shop, taking my son to get a haircut and to rugby. 'For me personally it's the first thing really that's affected me. And then, in 41 days' time we just don't know what's going to happen three miles up the road. 'If there's going to be no deal, and it looks that way at the minute, this area here, we're going to be hit the worst. 'I was sitting in traffic today just at the bottom of my road getting onto the main road and there was a line of cars coming both directions, and it was 50 per cent Northern Ireland registrations so it's going to affect all those people as well.' The City of Derry Airport said that following flybmi's news it is 'reviewing options' to resume a route to Stansted. Last week, Transport Secretary Chris Grayling confirmed the UK Government would continue to provide funding for a flight between City of Derry Airport and London for a further two years. Advertisement