Flybe possible Administration

[skalexander]

I think there are people here who do not appreciate that, for some locations, Flybe quite literally provide a lifeline service.

I'm in the Isle of Man, and Flybe provide the Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham routes. The Manchester and Birmingham routes are convenient but not essential. However, the Liverpool route is exceptionally important to our community, as it provides access to the Merseyside hospitals, which are used daily by Manx residents who have complex medical problems beyond the expertise of our medics and/or who require tests or treatments which are not available here.

It is the same situation in Guernsey. My cousin's lad was hit by a car whilst riding his scooter and was very badly hurt, and is still having to go to Southampton for regular scans and appointments. Those flights are provided by Flybe, although they do have a back-up in the form of Aurigny.

I don't for a moment think there is another airline who would swoop in and save the day if Flybe folded. I think it would end up with our Government potentially having to step in and look at something subsidised by the taxpayer.

[bighal]

For Flybe to realistically to survive a fair few of the routes will have to go. If the Government decides to go down the PSO route then any other airline can then apply for the funds and imho it would be more prudent to go with an airline that can survive than one that needs government support when its owners are reluctant to give it cash, even if it is just a business loan.