Advice has been issued for passengers who had booked Flybe flights before the company went into administration.
The UK Civil Aviation Authority said UK consumers impacted by the news have a number of options, depending on how they booked their flight.
In the early hours of Saturday it was confirmed regional carrier Flybe had ceased trading and all scheduled flights were cancelled.
READ MORE: Belfast City Airport advice on alternative travel after Flybe ceases trading
CAA consumer director Paul Smith said: "It is always sad to see an airline enter administration and we know that Flybe's decision to stop trading will be distressing for all of its employees and customers.
"We urge passengers planning to fly with this airline not to go to the airport as all Flybe flights are cancelled. For the latest advice, Flybe customers should visit the Civil Aviation Authority's website or our Twitter feed for more information."
The CAA said if you booked directly with Flybe and paid by credit card you may be protected under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 and should contact your card issuer for further information.
Similarly, if you paid by debit or charge card you should contact your card issuer for advice as you may be able to make a claim under their charge back rules.
If you purchased travel insurance that includes cover for scheduled airline failure, known as SAFI, you should contact your insurer. If you did not book directly with Flybe and purchased your tickets through a third party, you should contact your booking or travel agent in the first instance.
Negative response letter
Passengers who booked directly with the company via either a credit, charge or debit card may alternatively be able to make a claim through their card provider. Some card providers will ask for a negative response letter confirming the position. Passengers may also be able to make a claim against their travel insurer.
The negative response letter will be published shortly.
Direct booking with an airline
If you paid the airline directly by credit card you might be protected by Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974. You should check with your card issuer for further advice. You may have similar cover if you paid by Visa debit card and should check with your bank.
Booked through an Airline Ticket Agent
If you booked your ticket through an airline ticket agent you should speak to the agent in the first instance; they may have provided travel insurance that includes Scheduled Airline Failure cover.
Scheduled Airline Failure Insurance (SAFI)
Some airlines and airline ticket agents will offer customers either a specific Scheduled Airline Failure Insurance (SAFI) policy or include similar protection within a broader travel insurance product. The type of protection provided may vary depending on the type of policy taken out. A policy may simply cover the cost of the original tickets purchased or any unused portion, or the additional cost of purchasing new flights, such as new tickets for travel back to the UK.
Which? travel editor Rory Boland said: "This will be terrible news to Flybe passengers, many of whom used the airline regularly where it provided essential services from regional airports.
"Very few passengers flying Flybe will be on Atol-protected packages so the Government is unlikely to step in and repatriate those abroad or provide refunds.
"Instead passengers with travel insurance should check if their policy includes scheduled operator failure cover.
"Alternately, those who booked tickets costing more than £100 with a credit card will be able to claim from their credit card provider. If the tickets were under £100 or booked with a debit card, passengers can try to use chargeback from their bank or card provider."
East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson said the collapse of Flybe had come as a shock to management of Belfast City Airport.
He told the PA news agency: "I have spoken with representatives of Belfast City Airport this morning.
"I understand that news of Flybe's announcement came as much as a surprise to them as it did to the pilots, cabin crew and members of the travelling public.
"Already the airport are engaged in discussions about ensuring the routes continue through other airlines.
"Our thoughts today must remain with all of those affected."
The Consumer Council also issued similar advice over the weekend with Richard Williams, Head of Transport, saying your rights will differ depending on how you paid for the flights.
If you booked directly with Flybe: Customers who bought their tickets separately with a personal credit card may be able to claim their money back from the credit card provider under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act. To be eligible, you will need to have paid more than £100 for each separate flight. If the flight was cheaper, or you used a debit card, you may be able to use the ‘Chargeback’ scheme that card issuers are signed up to. You have to make your claim within 120 days.
If you have your own travel insurance check if it contains a Scheduled Airline Failure Insurance clause. If it does you can make a claim to get your money back.
If you bought your flights as part of a package with an ATOL travel firm and received an ATOL certificate: You should be ATOL protected. Contact your travel firm for more information.
If you booked through an airline ticket agent: You should speak to the agent in the first instance as they may have provided travel insurance that includes Scheduled Airline Failure Insurance (the type of protection provided may vary depending on the type of policy taken out).
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