UK airline Flybe has gone into administration, putting 2,000 jobs at risk, after a bid for fresh financial support failed.

The Exeter-based carrier said the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on demand for air travel was partly to blame for its collapse.

Its website now advises customers to "not travel to the airport" unless they have arranged an alternative flight.

Flybe boss Mark Anderson said he was "very sorry" for the firm's collapse.

In a letter to the airline's staff, chief executive Mark Anderson said: "Despite every effort, we now have no alternative - having failed to find a feasible solution to allow us to keep trading."

In response to the collapse, the UK government said it was ready to help Flybe's workers find new jobs and would work with other airlines to replace services: "We are working closely with industry to minimise any disruption to routes operated by Flybe, including by looking urgently at how routes not already covered by other airlines can be re-established by the industry. "

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said everyone was "gutted" about the news but added: "We really tried to do everything we could back at the turn of the year.

"Unfortunately, with the situation that has developed with [coronavirus], an already weak company, I'm afraid, just hasn't been able to survive."

source: BBC News