The Gatwick Flyer is no more. They went bust rather suddenly in October of 2019, laying the cause on 'extremely challenging trading conditions". It was so sudden that emails were sent out to customers as late as one day before these were due to travel!
They had been in business for 32 years - so they must have been a reasonably efficient company in the past to survive for so long - and despite the fact they had some good reviews online a sizeable number complained of high charges and slipshod service. The company was insolvent when it went under and there was no cash left in the pot to pay outstanding bills, or reimburse travellers who had booked their services.
Fortunately, for these travellers their losses would have been reasonably small, although they would have had the inconvenience (and expense) of finding alternative transport. The staff were perhaps amongst the biggest losers; they were suddenly out of work and whether or not there was enough in the coffers to pay their outstanding wages is unclear.
Many were not sorry to see them go though. Complaints about dirty busses and unfriendly drivers had been voiced, and for many journeys it would have been cheaper to use a taxi if two or more passengers were involved.
After more than three decades of ferrying customers to Heathrow, Gatwick, Southend and Stansted airports from London, Kent and South Essex, it was hoped that another operator would step in and take the company over; but sadly it was not to be.
The insovency practitioners who took over the winding up of the company issued the following statement:
We regret to advise that the Gatwick Flyer Limited has to cease to trade with immediate effect. Insolvency Practitioners FRP Advisory LLP have been instructed to assist with placing the Company into Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidation with a proposed liquidation date of 16 October 2019.
All current bookings will unfortunately not be honoured, and alternative transportation should be arranged as soon as possible.
If you paid by credit/debit card, please contact your bank in the first instance to begin the process of a folder 75 charge back. If you can not claim the money owed via your bank, you will have an unsecured claim in the liquidation.
Please email GatwickFlyer@frpadvisory.com with your full name, address, amount owed and you will be contacted by post as soon as possible.
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