Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Airport chief is hopeful of finding new carrier
FLYBE CRISIS
THE future of 12 Belfast City Airport destinations was hanging in the balance last night after Loganair snapped up two former Flybe routes to Scotland.
The collapsed airline left passengers stranded and 2,400 staff across the UK without jobs, including around 100 in Northern Ireland.
Chief of Belfast City Airport Brian Ambrose said he is in talks with “all airlines” as 77% of flights were marked cancelled on departure boards.
He told the Mirror yesterday: “It’s a tough day for our customers and the Flybe staff and for those that work at the airport... but we are very optimistic.
“Flybe account for two thirds of our passengers, they serve 14 destinations [and] we are confident we will be able to backfill those destinations.
“We have had a lot of dialogue with airlines in the last 24 hours and expect within the coming days and weeks to start to make the announcements of how we have filled those routes.
“This is a business that is attractive and we have very loyal customers.”
Mr Ambrose said that while all Flybe staff based at the airport lost their jobs, the hub will be making no cuts to its 70 direct employees.
He added: “We will rebuild the business and possibly come out of it even stronger.”
Loganair revealed it will take on the airline’s Belfast to Aberdeen and Inverness routes.
Chief Jonathan Hinkles said: “The collapse of a longstanding airline like Flybe marks a desperately sad day, especially for the airline’s dedicated team of employees and for customers facing disruption to their journeys.
“By stepping in quickly with a comprehensive plan, Loganair is aiming to maintain essential air connectivity within the UK regions to keep customers flying, and to offer new employment to former Flybe staff members who are facing an uncertain future today.”
The airline is recruiting around 100 new pilots, cabin crew and engineers for their bases at Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Newcastle to support the expansion and has set up a recruitment line for Flybe staff who would like to apply for a job.
Flybe’s Mark Anderson said he “deeply regrets” the airline’s collapse after 40 years connecting regions of the UK.
He added: “The UK has lost one of its greatest regional assets.
“I thank all our partners and the communities we have been privileged to serve. Above all I would like to thank the Flybe team for their incredible commitment and dedication.”
EY were appointed administrators and said in a statement yesterday all future flights with the airline are cancelled and will not be rescheduled as financial support for the company was withdrawn.
EY’S Alan Hudson said: “Despite an agreement with the Government to provide assistance to the company, added pressures on the travel industry in the last few weeks have further deepened the severity of its financial situation. “Flybe had already been impacted by rising fuel costs, currency volatility and market uncertainty.” The firm carried around eight million passengers between 82 airports in the UK and Europe over 210 routes to 15 countries every year. UK Civil Aviation Authority chief Richard Moriarty said: “This is a sad day for UK aviation.
“We know Flybe’s decision to stop trading will be very distressing for all of its employees and customers.” Secretary of State Brandon Lewis described the news as “disappointing” and “concerning” for staff and passengers.
He said the government is working closely with the industry to minimise disruption and look at how routes “not covered by other airlines can be re-established”.
Economy Minister Diane Dodds was “deeply disappointed” an agreement with the Treasury and UK Department for Transport was not able to secure the survival of the company which was also teetering on the brink in January.
She added: “I personally highlighted to the Prime Minister the importance of Flybe to Northern Ireland’s air connectivity. Maintaining air connec
tivity is absolutely vital to Northern Ireland – to enable access to the economic market in Great Britain and for tourists arriving to our airports from Great Britain and beyond.
“My department will work closely with the Department For Transport to assist, as required, with the repatriation of Northern Ireland passengers.
“And I will continue to raise the issue in Whitehall at every opportunity.”
Belfast Mayor Danny Baker last night called a special council meeting on the situation.
He said: “There is widespread concern at the impact Flybe’s collapse will have on our local economy given the volume of flights they operate in and out of Belfast City Airport. Our immediate thoughts are with the workers and families affected by this devastating news given the number of job losses that come with it.
“Flybe is a vital mode of transport for many workers and students, while also providing a direct air link from Belfast to Glasgow, London and other places. I will be seeking the support of councillors to hold urgent meetings with the Economy Minister, trade unions, Belfast City Airport and our local MPS to look at how we can support workers, protect our local economy and restore vital air links to the city.”
Hospitality Ulster chief Colin Neill described the airline’s demise as
“devastating news for Northern Ireland”. He added: “The regional connectivity Flybe offered was vitally important to tourism and our wider hospitality sector here, without it there will be a huge impact on visitor access.
“The knock-on effect of fewer visitors and tourists means this sounds an alarm for our pubs, restaurants and hotels at a time when coronavirus is compounding the sector’s problems.”
Retail NI Chief Glyn Roberts said: “While Flybe going into administration is clearly bad news for Northern Ireland’s air connectivity and our economy in the short term, I am confident Belfast City Airport will find new carriers for these vital air routes across the UK.”
Alliance MP Stephen Farry added: “I am confident new carriers can be found for the routes, which when coupled with a reduction in air passenger duty, will ensure the airport remains a vital part of our business and tourism industries.”
The regional connectivity Flybe offered was vitally important to tourism here
HOSPITALITY ULSTER CHIEF COLIN NEIL YESTERDAY
FLYBE’S collapse is a devastating blow to thousands of people across the country and indeed to Northern Ireland economy.
For staff the news came as a tough pill to swallow after the airline had been rescued by the Government in January.
The budget airline was a staple for hundreds of commuters who used their services to fly to 14 destinations across the UK.
Now Belfast City Airport faces an uphill battle to secure the services of other airlines to fill the gap – around 80% of flights to and from the hub in the east of the city.
Loganair’s move to take on 16 of Flybe’s UK routes is a welcome development but much work is still to be done.
Coronavirus may have been the last hammer blow to the airline but the Government must look at making avaiation travel sustainable.
With the collapse of Thomas Cook last year more needs to be done to with particular focus once again drawn to Air Passenger Duty.
Air travel for many is just as essential as travelling to work by bus or train.
It’s time the Government stepped up to ensure the longevity of airlines for budget and essential travel.