Flybe could return to skies after rescue deal
FLYBE planes might start taking off from British airports again early next year after administrators announced that they had agreed a rescue deal for the collapsed airline.
Thyme Opco has bought Flybe’s remaining assets and plans to restart the airline, although on a smaller scale.
The new owners are linked to Cyrus Capital, which was part of a Virgin Atlantic- led rescue attempt for the airline last year.
The two companies teamed up with Stobart Group to try to keep the company afloat in a deal in February 2019.
It has now reached a deal alone with the administrators, which should see the planes taking to the air again.
A spokesperson for Thyme Opco said: “We are extremely excited about the opportunity to relaunch Flybe.
“The airline is not only a well- known UK brand, it was also the largest regional air carrier in the EU, so while we plan to start off smaller than before, we expect to create valuable airline industry jobs, restore essential regional connectivity in the UK and contribute to the recovery of a vital part of the country’s economy.” Having struggled for years, Flybe was pushed into administration as the Covid- 19 pandemic destroyed large parts of the travel market. Even before coronavirus restrictions grounded fleets, the airline had narrowly avoided administration in January.
The collapse of Europe’s largest regional airline put thousands of jobs on the line in March.
“Unfortunately, with the situation that has developed with [ coronavirus], an already weak company, I’m afraid, just hasn’t been able to survive,” Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said at the time.
It is unclear how many jobs will be rescued under Thyme Opco’s plans Simon Edel, an administrator at EY, said: “The restart of this iconic brand, which was once Europe’s largest regional airline, will provide a potentially significant boost to aviation jobs, regional connectivity and local economies.”