Flybe-9

[22/04]

I ma a bit worried about this "ample funds to bail itself out" stuff. Remember those ample funds are somebodies money We live in a market economy last time I looked. If I were a shareholder in any of the consortium running Connect Airways I would not approve further investment without being presented with a plan for with a credible return at some time in the future. Now it may be that reaching a position where a return on investment could be foreseen was always difficult but the Heathrow slots were seen as an insurance policy - even if VS can't have them they can be sold for a return if Connect Airways is kept going long enough. There was on one else offering a better deal to keep Flybe going at the time.

What the government should be doing is only keeping the existing airline going while the connectivity it wishes secure can be identified and then coming up with a strategy to protect an operate those routes - that could be a chunk of Flybe - another operator - or conceivably a state run entity at least in the short term, rather like the Rail Operator of last resort.

I do feel for the Flybe crew - I know at least one - just as I felt for friends in Monarch and Thomas Cook who lost their jobs. All I know who worked for Monarch and Thomas Cook have found other jobs with BA, VS, TUI, etc. and I presume it would be the same for Flybe crew.

[VHF4]

Originally Posted by 22/04

I ma a bit worried about this "ample funds to bail itself out" stuff. Remember those ample funds are somebodies money We live in a market economy last time I looked. If I were a shareholder in any of the consortium running Connect Airways I would not approve further investment without being presented with a plan for with a credible return at some time in the future. Now it may be that reaching a position where a return on investment could be foreseen was always difficult but the Heathrow slots were seen as an insurance policy - even if VS can't have them they can be sold for a return if Connect Airways is kept going long enough. There was on one else offering a better deal to keep Flybe going at the time.

What the government should be doing is only keeping the existing airline going while the connectivity it wishes secure can be identified and then coming up with a strategy to protect an operate those routes - that could be a chunk of Flybe - another operator - or conceivably a state run entity at least in the short term, rather like the Rail Operator of last resort.

I do feel for the Flybe crew - I know at least one - just as I felt for friends in Monarch and Thomas Cook who lost their jobs. All I know who worked for Monarch and Thomas Cook have found other jobs with BA, VS, TUI, etc. and I presume it would be the same for Flybe crew.

Im sure staff such as crew and engineers would find alternative work fairly easily , However a lot of the “back room” staff based around Exeter might find things a little more difficult .

[cabsav]

Easily find work!

Originally Posted by VHF4

Im sure staff such as crew and engineers would find alternative work fairly easily , However a lot of the “back room” staff based around Exeter might find things a little more difficult .

i doubt if circa 600 pilots with most being turbo prop would easily find work. Let alone the same or more cabin crew.

[OzzyOzBorn]

And don't forget airport staff at SOU, EXT, NQY, BHD and the rest.

[Reversethrustset]

Originally Posted by cabsav

i doubt if circa 600 pilots with most being turbo prop would easily find work. Let alone the same or more cabin crew.

Why not? BA have been taking Q400 guys/ladies straight to the jumbo.

[sinbad73]

Originally Posted by Reversethrustset

Why not? BA have been taking Q400 guys/ladies straight to the jumbo.

Presumably you mean the cabin crew?

[Confirmed Must Ride]

Could prove even more difficult with airlines reducing schedules and enforcing leave for others due to Coronavirus. The drop in traffic will filter down to all regions.

[Wycombe]

Why not? BA have been taking Q400 guys/ladies straight to the jumbo.

I know a former Dash Capt who joined BA a few years ago and after just over a year there moved to left seat on Airbus narrowbodies.

[Set 1013]

Originally Posted by sinbad73

Presumably you mean the cabin crew?

No. In the last few years I have seen a lot of people move from flybe to BA. Directly from the right hand seat of a Q400 to the right seat of a 777, 747 and 787.

[VHF4]

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/b...-38972292.html

[speedrestriction]

According to CH Aviation contingency plans are being put in place.

[Set 1013]

I don't see why the government would have to put plans in place to "rescue" stranded flybe passengers. Flybe don't sell ATOL protected flights/holidays like Monarch or TC did.

If the worst was to happen then I suspect it will be every man for themselves. Let's hope they have used a credit card to book their flybe flights.

[fernlee]

Ryanair and easy in talks with DOT to determine if they could cover all the network at short notice if needs be

[Alteagod]

Based on what re DOT. If true that would seem that the Government are offering no more help or support to Flybe

[Dropoffcharge]

Originally Posted by fernlee

Ryanair and easy in talks with DOT to determine if they could cover all the network at short notice if needs be

That could be quite difficult to do from the likes of SOU for instance, possibly other airports as well, due to not suiting those types of aircraft (A320/737-8)

[Atlantic Explorer]

Originally Posted by Dropoffcharge

That could be quite difficult to do from the likes of SOU for instance, possibly other airports as well, due to not suiting those types of aircraft (A320/737-8)

Why the whole network though? The whole network is not “lifeline” routes. The good people of SOU would have to travel a little further to get to an airport and where they need to go.

Im not aware of any lifeline routes out of several of the BE bases.

[rog747]

Originally Posted by Set 1013

I don't see why the government would have to put plans in place to "rescue" stranded flybe passengers. Flybe don't sell ATOL protected flights/holidays like Monarch or TC did.

If the worst was to happen then I suspect it will be every man for themselves. Let's hope they have used a credit card to book their flybe flights.

Flybe do fly some series IT charters for TUI and Inghams IIRC so ATOL comes/can come into play if the tour operator cannot find another airline to op the series and the pax loses their holiday booked this summer.

[rog747]

Originally Posted by Dropoffcharge

That could be quite difficult to do from the likes of SOU for instance, possibly other airports as well, due to not suiting those types of aircraft (A320/737-8)

Belfast press quoting today that EZY may/will take some of BE's routes if they fail - SOU can certainly take an A320/319 doing a BFS EDI MAN or a DUB - big plane to fill out of SOU but once folk know EZY is there that may all change

Doesn't feel nice though trawling over the bones of Flybe when they've not even gone....

[GAZMO]

Article from this morning Belfast press.
Currently flybe BHD to SOU is twice daily on dash aircraft so could easily fill one daily A319

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/b...-38972292.html

[vlieger]

Originally Posted by GAZMO

Article from this morning Belfast press.
Currently flybe BHD to SOU is twice daily on dash aircraft so could easily fill one daily A319

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/b...-38972292.html

Already posted above. Fingers crossed it works out alright for all the Flybe crew.