Flybe about to go bump... [in administration 5 March 2020]
#16
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IAG is unhappy for self-serving reasons, but I am not a fan of the government giving state aid to Flybe by letting it convert collected tax money into working capital .... whether or not the airline is at the borderline of insolvency.
Last edited by GUWonder; Jan 15, 2020 at 3:13 pm Reason: H
#17
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And, of course, IAG (and others) aren't happy:
https://www.theguardian.com/business...-flybe-bailout
https://www.theguardian.com/business...-flybe-bailout
- How did it come to this?
- Is a profitable domestic network feasible?
- Is a profitable domestic needed?
Given the state of rail transport, in the UK, I'd say the answer to the last question is currently yes. Moreover, there are more complex questions of what happens when the flow of people in and out of a place changes.
#18
Join Date: May 2018
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Ahh, IAG. Owners of British London Airways who abandoned the regions, leaving them little more than feeders for LHR. Before we get into the right and wrongs of state help, I think it would be prudent to ask other questions:
Given the state of rail transport, in the UK, I'd say the answer to the last question is currently yes. Moreover, there are more complex questions of what happens when the flow of people in and out of a place changes.
- How did it come to this?
- Is a profitable domestic network feasible?
- Is a profitable domestic needed?
Given the state of rail transport, in the UK, I'd say the answer to the last question is currently yes. Moreover, there are more complex questions of what happens when the flow of people in and out of a place changes.
The current policy in the UK is apparently to make more of domestic opportunities, and become less reliant on short-haul trade to the East. We need to be able to get expertise round the country quickly and efficiently. And it's a long way from Wick to Penzance on a train or by road.
International Airlines Group didn't want the domestic traffic, which is why Flybe ended up with it in the first place.
#19
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Posts: 11,584
There’s no reason to listen to IAG. The Dirty Tricks of BA is taught even in overseas Unis (until all aircraft are finally grounded perhaps and the climate emergency is averted) because it was such a colossal betrayal of all that is right and proper. They have no morals.
But it’s good to see that BA took inspiration from BE with the ever so lauded and wonderful BOB with the contoured leather cabins.
But it’s good to see that BA took inspiration from BE with the ever so lauded and wonderful BOB with the contoured leather cabins.
#20
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So how long is the adorable Flybe going to be safe for? When will the next round of panic start? It’s a shame they couldn’t have helped bmi Regional stay in the air.
#22
Join Date: May 2012
Location: London & Penzance (UK)
Programs: BA Bronze, KrisFlyer Silver
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One confusing aspect is that I’d previously heard from management at NQY that they and other regional airports had been promised LHR slots as part of the third runway package, to be provided well ahead of the new runway being constructed. When BE subsequently launched the LHR route last year I had assumed it was a result of that promise. Now not sure whether this was in fact not the case, or there just wasn’t as much restriction on the use of the slots as there should be, meaning BE can shift them on after a year.
#23
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: NQY
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New flight timings etc are now released:
https://www.flybe.com/media/news/january-2020/1601
On sales Tuesday 21.
https://www.flybe.com/media/news/january-2020/1601
On sales Tuesday 21.
#24
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Flybe is definitely not out of the woods yet. Nor the clouds.
The following is behind a paywall, but you can read a good bit of it and see an interesting timeline on the history of Flybe, which I found interesting:
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business...ecision-looms/
The following is behind a paywall, but you can read a good bit of it and see an interesting timeline on the history of Flybe, which I found interesting:
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business...ecision-looms/
#25
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges and Environmentally Friendly Travel
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BBC reports
”The UK government may take an ownership stake in the troubled airline Flybe.
The government is in talks with the firm and the European Commission to ensure any rescue deal does not break state aid rules. Officials say support provided to Flybe so far, such as a pledge to cut tax on some domestic routes, are industry-wide measures.
However, the government is considering extending a loan of up to £100m to the loss-making airline. Government officials insist that any such loan will be on commercial terms but sources at competitors ask how the government can really mean that if the airline finds commercial lenders unavailable.”
Full article: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-51453196
”The UK government may take an ownership stake in the troubled airline Flybe.
The government is in talks with the firm and the European Commission to ensure any rescue deal does not break state aid rules. Officials say support provided to Flybe so far, such as a pledge to cut tax on some domestic routes, are industry-wide measures.
However, the government is considering extending a loan of up to £100m to the loss-making airline. Government officials insist that any such loan will be on commercial terms but sources at competitors ask how the government can really mean that if the airline finds commercial lenders unavailable.”
Full article: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-51453196
#26
Join Date: Feb 2020
Posts: 134
Has there been any further information on what may be happening with Flybe as it seems that from previous news, the government will be taking a stake (how does this avoid state aid?) and would this impact the Virgin Atlantic, Cyrus Capital and Stobart Group partnership?
It baffles me that they buyout a struggling airline and then they let it almost collapse, I must be missing something unless that was the intent all along?
It baffles me that they buyout a struggling airline and then they let it almost collapse, I must be missing something unless that was the intent all along?
#27
Join Date: May 2012
Location: London & Penzance (UK)
Programs: BA Bronze, KrisFlyer Silver
Posts: 347
So here we are again... Sky, ITV and FT reporting Flybe may collapse in a few days.
https://news.sky.com/story/regional-...lapse-11949393
it seems that the much heralded government rescue deal didn’t involve any actual rescuing, and the coronavirus bookings hit is accelerating their decline. It will be interesting to see whether this is real, or just maintaining pressure for APD changes ahead of the Budget.
https://news.sky.com/story/regional-...lapse-11949393
it seems that the much heralded government rescue deal didn’t involve any actual rescuing, and the coronavirus bookings hit is accelerating their decline. It will be interesting to see whether this is real, or just maintaining pressure for APD changes ahead of the Budget.