Airline charging more after booking?

DoctorStrange

I booked return flights around 8 weeks ago.
When checking in for the outbound flight yesterday I noticed they'd cancelled the return booking (not the flight itself, just the booking).

There's been no formal notification or anything (they normally send emails/texts when flights have cancelled).

The airline is asking me to book another return flight, and the flight I'm originally booked on is £300 more.

Is this allowed?

shaun_from_Africa

Did you book directly with the airline (if so, which one)? or was the booking made via an agent?

DoctorStrange

Was booked directly via the FlyBe app. They're saying they can't tell me why it's cancelled but that the only option is to rebook the same flight?

Doesn't sound right to me at all but I can get through on the phone to speak to anyone properly.

I suppose my question just now is it possible for airlines to cancel bookings when the flight is still running?

LilElvis

Did they originally take the full cost of the return tickets from your card and then subsequently credit you with the cost of the return leg? 

DoctorStrange

No, they've simply advised me that my booking was cancelled and invited me to claim a refund or book another flight. The same flight can be booked but it's now hundreds more.

Doesn't make any sense to me unless demand has shot up and they're cancelling bookings of those who booked under value - is that allowed?