Flybe

[Finger66]

When will these "greenies" finally realise that aviation is not the biggest polluter, especially when certain airlines such as those in the media spotlight, operate pretty efficient equipment. Yawwwwwwwwwnnnnnnnnnnn................

 

[louis_walton]

Flybe seem to be safe. At least for now... I have spent some time reading articles about Flybe and how it's passengers feel about it's uncertain future and they all seem distressed about the situation. Many performers rely on the airline to perform their shows as well as commuters simply needing the airline to get to work. Hopefully they survive and win their current battle as the UK aviation industry genuinely needs Flybe. However, it would be very interesting to see who would try and fill their boots would BA make a regional comeback, would Virgin continue the venture or would it all be left in Loganair's hands? But Flybe's fall could bring Orange to LBA with the likes of Belfast...

Long live Flybe.

 

[paully]

I`ve just received their latest missive, by e mail, offering a large seat sale, with 15% off and called a JanYAYry sale. I would have thought that descretion would have been much the better part of valour, certainly until the i`s have been dotted and the t`s crossed..Makes them sound disfunctional and silly...Only for the brave and desperate at this time methinks

 

[lbaspotter]

Statement released by HM Treasury

Government announces measures on regional connectivity

The Government has today announced additional measures to support and enhance regional connectivity across the UK, to ensure all corners of the country drive the economy, and fully benefit from prosperity in years to come.

hmtreasury-newsroom.prgloo.com

 

[Bigman]

Let's hope that FlyBe are around for a long time to come. If there were no domestic flights, how do the 'greenies' as Finger66 describes them expect people to get from Cardiff to Newcastle, or from Exeter to Manchester? Yet more cars heading up the already clogged M5 pumping all those emissions out of their 4x4 engines!!

 

[White Heather]

Let's hope that FlyBe are around for a long time to come. If there were no domestic flights, how do the 'greenies' as Finger66 describes them expect people to get from Cardiff to Newcastle, or from Exeter to Manchester? Yet more cars heading up the already clogged M5 pumping all those emissions out of their 4x4 engines!!

And how would most people get to Northern Ireland? Well, they wouldn't. The impact on places like Belfast would be huge.

 

[Len Fish]

A difficult one for a Government vowing to cut down on emissions yet promising to help the very the regions outside of London which the airline serves. Hopefully, economic common sense will prevail, if only to show the green lobby that they’ve no divine right to always get their own way.

 

[White Heather]

With regard to the transportation between Northern Ireland and the mainland, the alternative to air travel is by road and ferry and I suspect that the ferry is a greater source of CO2 than aviation, given that they burn sludge fuel which is known to be extremely high in carbon emissions. It seems to me that this is this movement aimed at cutting back and stopping air travel as far as possible with folk just jumping on the bandwagon, without taking any notice of other forms of transport or industries that are far worse for the environment than aviation.

 

[LBAYORKIE]

In some ways its a shame they were rescued. Had they gone under it would have provided opportunities for other carrier such as Eastern to get into the domestic market, and lets face it FlyBe haven't really done much for LBA. It doesn't seem thats likely to change as Virgin Connect only appear to be interested in feeding into their hubs.

 

[Finger66]

Interesting take but no one should be wishing any company to fail. This doesn't limit T3s options, they can still develop their own schedules under the BE franchise. In fact that could help BE as there is less risk to them. Let's hope the rescue is the start of real progress for both airlines. Maybe our new terminal needs to be rebranded the Eastern Terminal! Take that terminology as you will...........

 

[Rob c DSA]

In some ways its a shame they were rescued. Had they gone under it would have provided opportunities for other carrier such as Eastern to get into the domestic market, and lets face it FlyBe haven't really done much for LBA. It doesn't seem thats likely to change as Virgin Connect only appear to be interested in feeding into their hubs.

Eastern are in as big a mess if not worse than Flybe.

 

[LBAYORKIE]

Given recent announcements of new aircraft its clear Eastern are wanting to expand and I return to my other points that Flybe have never done LBA any favours and Virgin Connect dont loom set to do so either.

 

[KARFA]

Eastern are in as big a mess if not worse than Flybe.

Agreed. The ones to watch really are Loganair & Stobart - LBA would do well to get more flights with both airlines and it’s frustrating especially with Loganair who seem to be expanding the domestic flights but overlooking LBA. Eastern operationally is a bit of a disaster over the last year or two.

 

[Len Fish]

See that IAG have made an official complaint to the EU claiming that the Government proposal to defer Flybe’s Air Passenger Duty debt of around £100M constitutes an illegal state subsidy. Easy Jet and Ryanair have commented along the same lines, the Rail companies representative body claims the proposed rescue goes against the Government’s climate change agenda whist the green lobby is putting the boot in as well. Sadly, only too predictable, climate change and emissions being used as a cover for their other agendas.

 

[lbaspotter]

Ryanair has now spat its dummy out and is threatening to take legal action against the billionaire owned flybe.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1217827134716235776

 

[Sherburnflyer92]

Because Ryanair would really take up domestic flights within the UK market?

 

[LBAYORKIE]

I think Ryanair and IAG are correct in objecting to this government bail out. Why do Flybe/Virgin Connect (VC) get a deal when they havent?
I would have let them go bust personally. There would have been plenty of interest in their routes and I am sure most of the staff would have been taken on by the new incumbents. Its about time there was a shake up in the domestic market. As I said before LBA owe VC absoutely nothing, they have reduced the routes they offer from LBA steadily over the years they basically only stick with us because BFS is a cash cow!

 

[Jerry]

Ryanair have long campaigned against APD but to be picky they aren't

There would have been plenty of interest in their routes and I am sure most of the staff would have been taken on by the new incumbents. Its about time there was a shake up in the domestic market.

Ok then who would take on LBA-BHD? Ryanair have been established at LBA for a while and don't operate a Belfast route. Would Easyjet replace them or would they be more focused on MAN? Potentially Loganair might launch a Belfast base but there is no guarentees of that. Also Flybe operate what 5 daily? Can't see that frequency being replicated. Yes some routes especially at the big airports would get replaced but many of the routes to the smaller airports would be scrapped and most likely never be seen again.

 

[lbaspotter]

Ryanair have long campaigned against APD but to be picky they aren't

Ok then who would take on LBA-BHD? Ryanair have been established at LBA for a while and don't operate a Belfast route. Would Easyjet replace them or would they be more focused on MAN? Potentially Loganair might launch a Belfast base but there is no guarentees of that. Also Flybe operate what 5 daily? Can't see that frequency being replicated. Yes some routes especially at the big airports would get replaced but many of the routes to the smaller airports would be scrapped and most likely never be seen again.

We did have Jet2 operate Leeds/Bradford - Belfast International upto 3x daily at its peak around 10-11 years ago using Boeing 737-300 equipment. That was also up against Flybe's 3/4 daily Leeds/Bradford - Belfast City Dash 8-Q400 service. I guess Ryanair might be interested seen as its one of the most popular routes out of here.

 

[Jerry]

We did have Jet2 operate Leeds/Bradford - Belfast International upto 3x daily at its peak around 10-11 years ago using Boeing 737-300 equipment. That was also up against Flybe's 3/4 daily Leeds/Bradford - Belfast City Dash 8-Q400 service. I guess Ryanair might be interested seen as its one of the most popular routes out of here.

But there is no guarentee and there cutbacks at LBA doesn't suggest that they are going to be adding anything especially an UK domestic route that has APD both ways. As for Jet2 can you see them launching Belfast again?