Southampton, Exeter, Newquay and Belfast City are the main regional airports likely to have their demand cut by loss of Flybe
The collapse of Flybe, which lost money year after year even when given repeated cash injections, puts the jobs of around 2,000 staff at risk. Almost 1,000 staff are based at Flybe’s Exeter headquarters. Other jobs in the supply chain, in several regions, will also be at risk. It will have considerable impacts on many regional airports, for which Flybe was one of the main airlines. About 95% of the flights using Southampton airport were Flybe. (Southampton is planning to get its runway, currently 1,723 metres in length, extended by 170 metres, to get in more larger planes and more traffic). The airline industry – and still the UK government – are keen to insist we need “regional connectivity” by air. In reality, in a carbon-constrained world, many journeys that do not involve crossing sea, can be done by rail, coach or even by road, with much lower carbon emissions. Other airports that will be seriously affected by the loss of Flybe are Exeter and Newquay, where Flybe operated the majority of flights. Belfast City Airport had about 80% of its flights by Flybe. Blue Islands, the Flybe franchise partner operates flights linking the Channel Islands with Bristol, London City and Southampton, said it was continuing its flights.
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Flybe: Southampton Airport reacts after regional airline goes into administration amid ‘additional’ coronavirus pressure
SOUTHAMPTON Airport said it faces a ‘tough day’ after Flybe announced it had gone into administration overnight.
By Byron Melton (The News. Portsmouth)
Thursday, 5th March 2020,
The regional airline is the largest in the UK and is responsible for 95 per cent of flights at the Hampshire airport.
Southampton Airport’s live departures board shows just eight flights will leave the site between now and midday, with 13 cancelled.
Responding to Flybe going into administration, Southampton Airport’s managing director, Neil Garwood, said: ‘Today is a tough day for Southampton Airport and for all regions across the UK.
‘At this time our focus is on our people and our passengers, and especially the Flybe staff who have been part of the airport family for many years.
‘We will be taking stock of where we are in the coming days, and working hard to find alternatives for passengers and connectivity for the people across our region.
‘Demand for flying remains and regional connectivity is more important than ever.
‘The budget next week is a chance for the government to show leadership by abolishing air passenger duty tax and showing visible support for regional aviation in this country.’
Talks of scrapping the tax, which would cost Flybe £106m for three years, took place in January when fears of Flybe’s downfall spiked.
Passengers pay around £26 in the duty for return domestic flights.
Transport secretary Grant Shapps and then businesses secretary Andrea Leadsom said two months ago time they were ‘delighted’ to have arrived at a plan to keep Flybe operating.
But the company’s roster of more than 2,000 staff were sent an email by CEO Mark Anderson today saying it went into administration.
He also said coronavirus, also known as Covid-19, had played a role by putting ‘additional’ pressure on the airline in its darkest hour.
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Tragic Flybe collapse threatens ‘domino effect’ on regional jobs, union says
Thousands of people are employed by the airline
4.3.2020 (Devon Live)
Up to 2,000 direct jobs hang in the balance after the collapse of Flybe.
The airline’s tragic collapse threatens a further 1,400 jobs in the supply chain, GMB analysis has revealed.
The Exeter-based airline announced in the early hours of Thursday it had ceased trading with immediate effect and that administrators had been appointed.
Crisis talks were held throughout Wednesday to try to secure a rescue package, but no deal was agreed.
In a statement, chief executive Mark Anderson said the company had made “every possible attempt” to avoid collapse but had been “unable to overcome significant funding challenges”.
The administration not only affects direct Flybe staff, but GMB members working for Swissport provide ground services for Flybe at Liverpool, East Midlands, Edinburgh and Jersey airports.
Nadine Houghton, GMB National Officer, said: “These unfolding developments are a tragedy not only for Flybe’s loyal workforce, but a domino effect now puts 1,400 jobs in the wider supply chain at immediate risk and threatens the future of vital regional airports.”
“The last thing regions crying out for investment need is to see infrastructure that maintains good jobs ripped away.”
“We need the Government to urgently step in and save jobs wherever possible. The damage to already fragile local economies must be minimised.”
Tragic Flybe collapse threatens ‘domino effect’ on regional jobs, union says
Thousands of people are employed by the airline
Up to 2,000 direct jobs hang in the balance after the collapse of Flybe.
The airline’s tragic collapse threatens a further 1,400 jobs in the supply chain, GMB analysis has revealed.
The Exeter-based airline announced in the early hours of Thursday it had ceased trading with immediate effect and that administrators had been appointed.
Crisis talks were held throughout Wednesday to try to secure a rescue package, but no deal was agreed.
In a statement, chief executive Mark Anderson said the company had made “every possible attempt” to avoid collapse but had been “unable to overcome significant funding challenges”.
The administration not only affects direct Flybe staff, but GMB members working for Swissport provide ground services for Flybe at Liverpool, East Midlands, Edinburgh and Jersey airports.
Nadine Houghton, GMB National Officer, said: “These unfolding developments are a tragedy not only for Flybe’s loyal workforce, but a domino effect now puts 1,400 jobs in the wider supply chain at immediate risk and threatens the future of vital regional airports.”
“The last thing regions crying out for investment need is to see infrastructure that maintains good jobs ripped away.”
“We need the Government to urgently step in and save jobs wherever possible. The damage to already fragile local economies must be minimised.”
https://www.devonlive.com/news/jobs/tragic-flybe-collapse-threatens-domino-3916613
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Flybe collapses with thousands of Exeter jobs at risk
It comes after months of financial trouble for the Exeter-based airline
4.3.2020 (Devon Live)
Exeter-based airline has entered administration with thousands of jobs at risk.
The struggling airline was saved from collapse earlier this year but has been unable to obtain the £100m loan it needed from the Government.
Flybe operates the majority of flights from Exeter and Newquay airport – along with most of the internal flights across the UK.
An email sent out by CEO Mark Anderson to staff early on Thursday morning, seen by DevonLive, said Flybe will be going into administration imminently.
It read: “It’s with enormous sadness and a deep feeling of sorrow that I share the upsetting news that Flybe is shortly being put into Administration. Despite every effort, we now have no alternative – having failed to find a feasible solution to allow us to keep trading.”
Adding: “I do appreciate how distressing this news is and the shock and numbness that you will be feeling.
“Despite your hard work, commitment and some amazing results which we have delivered, and have been achieving up to the last day of operation – particularly for our customers who depend on us across the country, we have come to the end of the road. While our shareholders and the Leadership Team have worked with the Government and key suppliers to try to get the funding and support needed, this has not materialised.
“The coronavirus has impacted both our shareholders and ourselves and has put additional pressure on an already difficult situation. I am very sorry that we have not been able to secure the funding needed to continue to deliver our turnaround plan. Although I have only had the honour of being your CEO for 8 months, it’s been an incredible privilege to lead such an amazing team of people and the Flybe family.
“I could not have asked for more – your unwavering commitment, support and resilience to deliver for our customers has been truly inspiring. I am just so sorry that we have not been able to see this through. I feel so proud of you and want to take this opportunity to thank you and wish you the very best for the future.”
The regional carrier has been hit by a slump in bookings since the outbreak of the coronavirus.
The collapse of the Exeter-based airline will threaten thousands of jobs and the future of a number of regional airports, including Exeter. Almost 1,000 are based at Flybe’s Exeter headquarters.
A series of issues have also affected the airline’s finances, including rising fuel costs, falling demand, competition from road, rail and other airlines, plus a weakening of the pound.
Flybe ceasing to operate is likely to have a significant impact on the region’s economy.
It is is a long-term sponsor with Exeter City, and started supporting the club back in 2003 and this year it extended its shirt sponsorship deal until 2020 making it one of the longest running in the Football League at 17 consecutive seasons.
It was bought by a consortium comprising Virgin Atlantic, Stobart Group and Cyrus Capital in February 2019, but has continued to make losses.
The airline’s website went down at 10.30pm on Wednesday and staff were seen packing up tools at Exeter airport.
Exeter Labour MP Ben Bradshaw described the news as a huge blow to those who work for Flybe locally and across the county.
“My thoughts are first with the workers and their families,” he said.
“It is also with those who rely on the flights for work or who have booked holidays with Flybe.
“Serious questions have to be asked of this Government.”
The Labour MP questioned the Government’s handling of the situation and why reforms of Air Passenger Duty hadn’t been made sooner.
“The whole thing makes a mockery of Boris Johnson’s mantra to level up regional connectivity,” he added.
“If there is no one to step in, this doesn’t only hurt Exeter but could go on to threat regional airports across the country.”
Simon Jupp, the new Tory MP for East Devon, where Flybe’s base is said on Twitter: “My thoughts are with the hard-working Flybe staff at Exeter Airport at this difficult time. I will do everything possible to support them. The govt offered to help secure the future of the airline and I’m deeply disappointed by the decision taken by Flybe’s shareholders.”
He added: “It is essential other operators now come forward to take over routes from Exeter Airport to secure jobs and lifeline transport links for our region.”
Blue Islands, The Flybe franchise partner operates flights linking the Channel Islands with Bristol, London City and Southampton, has issued the following statement on tonight’s news:
“Blue Islands services will continue to operate, following the closure of Flybe. Passengers with bookings for travel on Blue Islands operated services are advised to check-in on time at the airport.”
The collapse will be the fourth notable failure of a UK airline in less than four years.
On Wednesday evening Devon Live reported how a plane bound for Exeter Airport was left on the tarmac at Manchester Airport.
One of those on board the plane left sat on the runway at Manchester Airport was Phil Hoult.
Phil, who lives in Exeter, said at the time: “I’m stuck on a plane at Manchester Airport. The captain has told us we won’t be flying anywhere and I think we’re going to be kicked out with nowhere to go.”
https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/flybe-collapses-thousands-exeter-jobs-3916009
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The reality is that many domestic flight are just for the leisure convenience of people who like to travel a lot.
West Dorset MP Chris Loder said he was “very sorry about the inevitable job losses” and said South West would be greatly impacted by the airline’s collaspe.
“Exeter Airport is crucially important to the South West, a region that in so many ways has been left to trail behind the rest of the UK when it comes to transport links.
“It is vital to those working and living in West Dorset and neighbouring East Devon, enabling them to travel onwards to domestic and European destinations, whether on business or pleasure.”
https://www.itv.com/news/2020-03-05/government-attacked-amid-flybe-fallout/
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Almost 2,000 people sign petition against Southampton Airport expansion plans
About 1,900 people have signed a petition opposing the expansion of Southampton Airport. The local opposition campaign, Airport eXpansion Opposition (AXO), will be asking Southampton Councillors not to back plans to extend the airport’s runway by 164 metres. AXO members will present the petition to councillors at a full council meeting. The plans to extend the runway and increase the number of flights will increase carbon emissions, and are contrary to the council’s plans to cut CO2 locally. The airport will submit its expansion planning application to Eastleigh Borough Council. AXO said that if Southampton is serious about declaring a climate emergency, the airport expansion should not be permitted. Airports and their backers try to use the argument that it is better for people to fly (as they assume people will continue to do, in growing numbers….) from a local airport, citing the carbon emissions of their trip to/from another larger airport. Those emissions are generally small compared to those of the flight itself. And the aim of having a local airport is to get people to fly more, as it is more convenient. Net effect – more flights, more carbon. And more noise and local impacts around the airport.
Click here to view full story…
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