The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Flybe looks set to be grounded, with airline on verge of collapse
TRAVEL: Fears grow for firm as two flights from Glasgow suddenly cancelled
Airline Flybe appeared to be on the verge of collapse late last night, putting 2,000 jobs at risk.
Reports indicated the firm was set to announce it was entering administration after the last flight of the night landed.
The struggling carrier nearly went bust in January and tried to negotiate a rescue deal with the government.
The BBC reported yesterday evening that Flybe was set to collapse “within hours”.
The state broadcaster also claimed a company insider blamed the coronavirus, saying it had “made a bad situation much worse”.
Speculation over the firm’s future escalated last night after two flights from Glasgow to Birmingham were suddenly cancelled.
A Flybe spokeswoman said there had been “miscommunication” over refuelling at Glasgow Airport.
She said: “Flybe can confirm that, following a miscommunication regarding refuelling this evening, two flights were delayed and that due to the crew now being out of hours, have been cancelled.
“Normal operations have now resumed.”
However, The Courier has seen evidence that Glasgow Airport detained at least one Flybe aircraft last night.
A document signed by the airport duty manager said the plane was “not to be removed from the airport until the charges outstanding at Glasgow Airport incurred in respect of the aircraft and all other aircraft of which your company (Flybe) is the operator at the time that the detention began have been settled”.
Flybe aircraft at airports including Edinburgh are not being refuelled and engineers are being laid off, sources told the PA news agency.
The company’s website also appeared to be down last night. Crisis talks were held throughout yesterday to try to secure a rescue package, but it is understood no deal was agreed.
Mike Clancy of the Prospect union, said it would be a “devastating blow”.