Actors used to fill flights
(31 March 2008)Budget carrier Flybe attempted to use actors to boost passenger numbers and avoid a £280,000 penalty for flying under capacity.
The route between Norwich and Dublin needed to carry 15,000 passengers for this financial year by 31 March to avoid the fine from Norwich Airport.
The airline was 172 passengers short and resorted to placing an advert on an actors' website for extras and warning staff to be prepared to fly to Dublin.
Norwich Airport has criticised the needless damage to the environment but Flybe insists it will offset any additional emissions. The actors were not needed in the end.