Flybe on the brink as government urged to step in

The government has been urged to do “whatever it takes” to ensure the survival of Flybe, Europe’s largest regional carrier, as trade unions and MPs demanded the rescue of an airline that operates almost two in five British domestic flights. The Exeter-based airline, which flies 8.5m passengers a year between 56 airports across the UK and mainland Europe, is seeking financial help from ministers to stave off a collapse that would put more than 2,000 jobs at risk. The airline and government declined to comment on reports of ongoing talks between the carrier and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and the Department for Transport, about whether the government might provide or facilitate emergency financing. Sky News reported on Monday evening that Flybe had asked the government to defer a multi-million pound air passenger duty bill in order to see the airline through the rest of the winter. Mark Anderson, the CE of Connect, told Flybe staff in an email on Monday morning: “We continue to operate as normal … I do appreciate that the headlines are disturbing but I want you to know that we are determined to everything we can to make this work. What I now ask from all of us is that we all remain focused on our responsibilities and continue to work and support each other as a team to deliver what we know we can do.” Trade unions and MPs said that the airline provided crucial connectivity for the regions and demanded the government intervene. The pilots’ union, Balpa, said the government should do “whatever it takes” to save the carrier.<br/>