Around 2000 bookings with Flyr are affected by delayed flight delivery – VG

Less than 20 minutes ago

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“Dear Guest, Delays in the delivery of our new Boeing 737-8 from the Seattle plant are unfortunately causing changes to some of our flights.”

This is how an e-mail starts that goes out to many of Flyr’s customers these days. On June 29, according to the agreement with the aircraft manufacturer, they should have received their 11th aircraft, but so far the fleet will only count 10 aircraft, explains communications director Anita Svanes.

– We received an updated delivery schedule yesterday (Wednesday), and it says that the plane will now be delivered on July 26, she says to VG.

The reason for the delay is delivery problems to Boeing due to the corona pandemic. They are simply still waiting for parts needed when the plane is to be assembled. Wall Street Journal is among the media that have recently covered the aircraft manufacturer’s challenges.

These challenges mean that Flyr has a machine smaller than planned for around a month. As tickets for departures the plane was intended to be used for have already been sold, the company must therefore now make changes for many of its passengers.

– We currently estimate the scope at approximately 2000 bookings, says Svanes.

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The exact number of flights that are affected is still not entirely certain yet. It depends on whether the plane arrives on the date they have now been given, but the company reckons it is a matter of one to two flights daily.

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– Unexpected

The communications director explains that their customer center now contacts those customers who are directly affected with suggestions for changes in departure time, refund, or that Flyr orders and pays for tickets for customers with a competing company.

– Here we work to find out what is the best solution for the individual traveler with the goal that the traveler will arrive at the planned destination within the same day.

– Should you refrain from selling tickets for flights with this machine that is delayed before you knew 100 percent for sure that it arrived on time?

– This was an unexpected situation, but we had retained capacity on our existing fleet, so that we would have a buffer in case something should happen. This is how we can move passengers to other of our own departures, Svanes answers, and adds:

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– Many different industries, all over the world, are now affected by the supply problems that have followed the pandemic, so we hope for understanding from customers that this is not something we can control.

Flyr has also tried to limit the damage by shielding all typical holiday destinations, such as the Mediterranean, from changes in July and August.

– We primarily change routes with short pre-sales, ie not the typical holiday destinations.

Also read: European aviation chaos can be long-lasting

Another flight is expected in August

Svanes says that exactly what is possible of changes will vary from departure to departure. She can thus not guarantee that everyone is offered a new trip on the same day.

– If the changes do not suit the traveler, we will of course find the best possible solution.

– For those of you who are a relatively new company, and perhaps more than others dependent on people getting a good first impression for a good reputation to spread, how is this experienced?

– We think first and foremost of those who will travel with us. We think it is a pity for everyone who gets to change the planned trip, and should of course see that we do not have to make these changes due to brand new aircraft that arrive later than planned, but we want to show customers that even if we are unlucky with this then we will be solution-oriented, the communications director answers.

She says that the company has not made any decision on whether to ask the manufacturer Boeing for compensation.

Flyr expects delivery of its 12th aircraft in the fleet in August. So far, Boeing has not reported any delays on this one.

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