Flybe to cease trading – Airlines UK statement

March 5th, 2020

Commenting on the news that Flybe has ceased trading, Tim Alderslade, Chief Executive of Airlines UK, the industry body representing UK-registered airlines, said:

“Flybe’s problems were known to many and the sector as a whole is going through an incredibly tough period with the Coronavirus hitting bookings and dampening demand, and this is being felt across the board. That said, this is now the fourth UK airline to go out of business in two years. The Government is right to say aviation is a commercial proposition and the market should win out – but they are not using the policy levers at their disposal to help the sector. APD is the prime example of a disproportionate and penalising policy that is actively holding us back.

“Leaving the EU presents Ministers with opportunities to intervene – for example getting rid of the double domestic APD anomaly, reforming EC261 or using PSOs in a more imaginative way – and these should be explored asap, with next week’s Budget presenting the perfect opportunity.”