We appreciate the impact this will have on Flybe passengers
and employees. Our immediate priority is to ensure
passengers are kept informed of alternative travel options
and employees who have lost their jobs are assisted in
accessing support and advice. We know this will be a
worrying time for Flybe staff and our Jobcentre Plus Rapid
Response Service stands ready to help anyone whose
job may be at risk.
Affected passengers have been advised not to turn up to the
airport. For those passengers who did arrive at UK airports
today (5 March 2020), HMGin-person support has
been available to provide them with information. The
majority of Flybe’s destinations are served by different
transport options, and we have asked train and coach
operators to accept Flybe tickets and other airlines to
offer reduced rescue fares to ensure passengers can make
their journeys as smoothly as possible. Following talks
with Britain’s train operators, all Flybe staff and
customers will be offered a free, alternative way home this
week. To redeem the journey, present your
employee ID or flight confirmation
details. Government staff will continue to further assist
at airports. A number of airlines have stepped forward to
provide rescue fares for passengers.
For the small number of passengers who are abroad, there is
sufficient capacity on other commercial airlines to return
to the UK. Again, the CAA is encouraging
these airlines to offer rescue fares. The CAA website will
also provide information on how people may be able to claim
back money they have spent on tickets from travel insurance
providers, travel agents or their credit card providers.
We are urgently working with industry to identify
opportunities to re-establish key routes, and have spoken
with airlines and airports today to emphasise this. We are
pleased to see that airlines have already committed to
operating a number of these routes in the near future. I am
conscious of the impact on all regions of the UK,
particularly Northern Ireland given the importance of
air-based connectivity. The aviation
minister has spoken to counterparts in the
devolved administrations to ensure they are kept informed
of the latest developments and are aware of the response
plans put in place by my department and the Civil Aviation
Authority.
Levelling up connectivity across our regions and nations is
a top priority for this government, which is why we are
undertaking a review of regional connectivity to ensure the
UK has the domestic transport connections local communities
rely on – including regional airports. The Treasury is also
reviewing air passenger duty
(APD) to
ensure regional connectivity is supported while meeting the
UK’s climate change commitments to meet net zero by 2050.
These measures featured in conversations with Flybe back in
January and, in turn, they agreed to continue operating.
Since then, we explored multiple options with Flybe’s
shareholders to find a solution,but the directors decided
it was not viable to keep Flybe operating. Unfortunately,
in a competitive market companies do fail, but it is not
the role of government to prop them up.
Globally, aviation is facing challenges due to the impact
of coronavirus. The government is well prepared for this.
As the wider economic picture becomes clearer, the
Chancellor has said that he stands ready to announce
further support where needed. I have today written
to Airport Coordination
Limited, the independent UK slot coordinator, asking
them to explicitly take in to account the implications of
flying empty planes on the UK’s environmental commitments
in reaching decisions on slot alleviation in relation to
coronavirus.
