Should the Government bail out struggling Flybe?

THE Government bailout of Flybe has been branded a misuse of public funds politically, economically and environmentally. However, you can’t compare this regional UK carrier with package holiday airlines, as it also carries business travellers to the Republic of Ireland and Europe. Most of its fleet are propeller planes, with negligible carbon emissions compared with jet aircraft. Saving Flybe from being renamed Flybeen will keep British commerce flowing and the economy moving.

D. FLEMING, Downham Market, Norfolk. AIR passenger duty (APD) is paid when we buy a ticket. Why are airlines allowed to use it as part of their cash flow and, in the case of Flybe, to subsidise losses?

K. HODKINSON, Linlithgow, West Lothian.

SURELY it is the responsibility of the company directors to pay all the necessary taxes before being paid their salary and bonuses. The danger is that giving respite for Flybe from paying APD will set a precedent.

EDWARD HARRISON, Swindon, Wilts. I AM not usually in favour of bailouts, but neither BA nor Ryanair were willing to take on Flybe’s routes. MARTIN FLETCHER, Rotherham, S. Yorks.

WHEN Flybe began flights from Leeds Bradford to Newquay, I was delighted to discover I could visit my daughter more easily. The train costs a lot and takes 7½ hours. It’s an eight-hour drive, but the Flybe flight is only an hour.

J. FAWCETT, Ilkley, W. Yorks. FLYBE is not much loved by those of us who fly frequently to the Channel Islands. This so-called budget airline is far from cheap, delays are frequent and the uncomfortable propeller planes do not have instrument landing systems to guide pilots in to land in poor visibility. On a recent flight, the landing at Bristol was aborted due to low cloud and we were taken back to Jersey. Other flights were able to land at Bristol. No attempt was made to divert us to another airport, such as Southampton or Birmingham, from where we could have taken a coach. As there were enough seats for us all on the next scheduled flight to Bristol two days later, they did not put on an extra flight.

JULIA PICKLES, Cheltenham, Glos.

THE Government has stepped in to rescue Flybe. Will it also save Beales department stores from administration?

G. H. HOLMES, Withernsea, E. Riding.