Flybe (2022–2023) Explained

Airline:Flybe
Headquarters:Birmingham Airport, Bickenhill, England
Iata:BE[1]
Icao:BEE
Callsign:JERSEY
Aoc:2470[2]
Fleet Size:8
Destinations:17
Parent:Cyrus Capital Partners

Flybe (pronounced), styled as flybe, was a British regional airline based at Birmingham Airport, England. It commenced operations using the name of a former airline in 2022, but ceased operations and entered administration on 28 January 2023.

History

Predecessor

See main article: Flybe (1979–2020).

The airline traces its history back to Jersey European Airways, which was set up in 1979 following the merger of Intra Airways and Express Air Services. The firm was renamed British European in 2000 and Flybe in 2002. In November 2006, Flybe purchased BA Connect, thereby becoming the largest regional airline in Europe. On 5 March 2020, this first airline named Flybe filed for administration and ceased all operations.

Relaunch

On 19 October 2020, reports emerged that Lucien Farrell, in charge of former shareholder Cyrus Capital's European office, had formed a new company, Thyme Opco, to purchase the Flybe brand and relaunch the airline, subject to regulatory approvals.[3] The new owner planned to "start small and restore regional connectivity in the UK" from 2021.[4] On 1 December 2020, Thyme Opco applied for a UK operating licence.[5] Thyme Opco also registered a 21-year-old de Havilland Canada Dash 8 Q400, which was expected to be the first aircraft for the 'new Flybe', though this particular aircraft was subsequently transferred to PAL Airlines in Canada.[6]

In April 2021, the British Civil Aviation Authority granted the new airline an operating licence as well as Type A and B route licences, enabling the carrier to operate both charter and scheduled services.[7] The new company also obtained 86 slots at Heathrow for the summer 2021 season, to be used for flights to Edinburgh and Aberdeen.[8]

The 'original' Flybe company was renamed FBE Realisations 2021 Limited, with Thyme Opco Limited becoming Flybe Limited.[9] [10]

On 3 June 2021, the operating licence for the original company was revoked following an unsuccessful appeal to the Transport Secretary. Despite initial beliefs that its legacy slots at UK airports had returned to the slot coordinator, this was shown not to be the case by coordinator ACL.[11] The new operating company also leased Heathrow slots from British Airways for routes to Edinburgh and Aberdeen.[12]

On 26 October 2021, the new Flybe Limited confirmed that it had appointed David Pflieger as its chief executive.[13] This closely followed the appearance of an ex-Flybe Q400, registered as G-JECX, which had been painted with a new purple-and-white livery.[14] In November 2021, the airline announced that it had picked Birmingham Airport as its new base, with operations scheduled to begin in early 2022 to "key regions across the UK and EU".[15]

On 16 March 2022, Flybe announced that Belfast City would be the airline's second operating base. The company slogan was "Smile and go the extra mile".[16] The first flight took place between Birmingham and Belfast on 13 April 2022.[17] The company aimed to operate up to 530 flights per week on 23 routes, using a fleet of up to 32 Q400 aircraft.[18]

Decline

Throughout its first months of operation, Flybe faced several operational issues, which it blamed on late aircraft deliveries. Twelve weeks after its launch, the company cancelled three routes, and reduced frequencies on five others but stated that they would return to their original frequencies during the winter.[19] Planned services from Aberdeen to Belfast, as well as Inverness to both Belfast and Birmingham never commenced. In September, the airline announced new service to the Isle of Man from Belfast and London,[20] however cancelled both services less than a month later, two days before the inaugural flights.[21] The company was criticised for giving Isle of Man's airport less than 30minutes notice of its intention to cancel service,[22] and subsequently announcing similar routes from Newcastle on a near identical schedule, as despite stating the cancellation was due to aircraft shortages, the airline was required by Heathrow authorities to continue operating the route if it was to retain its highly valuable slots at the airport.[23]

In October 2022, Flybe ceased flights between Leeds and London,[24] largely due to low demand as a result of competition from rail networks, and confirmed that it would not be resuming services.[25] In the same month, the airline suspended flights to Southampton, planning to restart in February 2023, and further reduced frequencies again blaming late aircraft deliveries, despite having taken delivery of two additional aircraft which were reportedly unable to provide sufficient capacity.[26]

Demise

On 28 January 2023, administrators were appointed and the airline ceased all operations.[27] [28] Some 75,000 passengers had their flights cancelled, including around 2,500 who had been due to fly that day. Out of 321 Flybe staff at the time, 277 were declared redundant. In a response, competitors easyJet and Ryanair encouraged the laid off staff to apply for jobs in their companies.[29] Aer Lingus Regional announced that it would serve destinations previously operated by Flybe from Belfast.[30]

The administrators expressed hopes that a rescue deal could be struck and noted their intent "to preserve scaled-back elements of the operating platform for a short period".[31] In this respect, the administrators applied for a temporary operating licence, valid for up to 12 months, to enable a restructuring proposal to be developed. Talks were held with the Lufthansa and Air France-KLM groups, which were both potentially interested in buying Flybe's assets, including in particular its slots at Heathrow and Schiphol. The Heathrow slots were held by Flybe as part of the conditions imposed by competition regulators following British Airways' 2012 acquisition of BMI, and cannot be sold separately but only acquired as part of the business.[32] [33] [34] Despite "intensive" discussions with interested parties, no agreement was reached and on 15 February the administrators announced that the company would be wound down and the aircraft returned to lessors.[35]

The airline lost an average of £4million to £5million per month, and, administrators expect the total deficiency, after realising the airline's assets and paying preferential creditors, to amount to £82million.[36] Flybe's landing slots at Heathrow have reverted to British Airways and the slots at Schiphol have been taken by the Dutch slot allocation authority.[37]

Corporate affairs

The company's head office is on the second floor of Diamond House at Birmingham Airport,[38] within the Metropolitan Borough of Solihull.[39]

Parent company

Flybe Limited, founded in September 2020 as Thyme Opco, is a private limited company which is owned by Thyme Investco Limited - the majority of whose shares are held by DLP Holdings SARL,[40] [41] an affiliate of American hedge fund Cyrus Capital Partners. This was the same company which was involved in the purchase of the original Flybe in 2019.[42]

Services

Flybe's Q400 airliners were outfitted with 78 all-economy seats,[43] and several different ticketing options were available.[44] All passengers received a complimentary drink and snack on board, regardless of fare.[45]

Destinations

, Flybe sold tickets on 22 routes to 16 destinations.[46] [47] [48] All flights were cancelled and not to be rescheduled as of 28 January 2023.[28]

Previous Flybe destinations
CountryCityAirportNotes
FranceAvignonAvignon Airport
BrestBrest Bretagne Airport
ToulonToulon Airport
NetherlandsAmsterdam Airport Schiphol
SwitzerlandGenevaGeneva Airport
United Kingdom
BelfastGeorge Best Belfast City Airport
BirminghamBirmingham Airport
East MidlandsEast Midlands Airport
EdinburghEdinburgh Airport
GlasgowGlasgow Airport
LeedsLeeds Bradford Airport
LondonHeathrow Airport
ManchesterManchester Airport
NewcastleNewcastle Airport
NewquayNewquay Airport
SouthamptonSouthampton Airport

Fleet

Before entering administration, the Flybe fleet consisted of the following aircraft.[49] Flybe was expected to expand to a total of 32 aircraft. Nordic Aviation Capital expected to lease 12 aircraft to Flybe,[50] and Aergo Capital was to supply a further five.[51]

Further reading

Notes and References

  1. Web site: IATA – Airline and Airport Code Search. iata.org. 13 April 2015. 15 December 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121215044636/http://www.iata.org/publications/Pages/code-search.aspx. live.
  2. Web site: Holders of air operator certificates . Civil Aviation Authority. 2021-10-27 . www.caa.co.uk . 2 December 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211202204041/https://www.caa.co.uk/Data-and-analysis/Approved-persons-and-organisations/Datasets/Lists-of-approved-persons-and-organisations/Holders-of-air-operator-certificates/ . live .
  3. News: Flybe set to fly again after brand is rescued . BBC News. 19 October 2020 . 13 April 2022 . 22 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220322134708/https://www.bbc.com/news/business-54596915 . live .
  4. News: Dunn . Graham . Interest in revived Flybe shows continued faith in regional opportunity . . 20 October 2020 . en . 13 April 2022 . 9 May 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210509232227/https://www.flightglobal.com/networks/interest-in-revived-flybe-shows-continued-faith-in-regional-opportunity/140695.article . live .
  5. News: Coffey . Helen . Flybe could soon take to the skies again . The Independent. 3 December 2020 . en . 13 April 2022 . 17 February 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210217101606/https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/flybe-airline-new-owner-uk-flights-b1765581.html . live .
  6. Web site: MSN 4014 . 2022-04-19 . Dash 8 World . en-US .
  7. https://www.key.aero/article/flybe-20-second-time-lucky key.aero - Flybe 2.0 - Second time lucky?
  8. Web site: UK's flybe. secures Heathrow slots . 2022-05-15 . ch-aviation . en.
  9. Web site: Change of name notice. Companies House.
  10. Web site: Change of name by resolution . Companies House.
  11. Web site: Telford. William. 2021-10-13. Administrators look to claim cash from new Flybe company. 2021-10-27. Business Live. en. 17 November 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211117094757/https://www.business-live.co.uk/enterprise/administrators-look-claim-cash-new-21833195. live.
  12. Web site: Completed Slot Trades - Airport Coordination Limited . ACL Airport Coordination . 16 May 2017 . 28 June 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210628112938/https://www.acl-uk.org/completed-slot-trades/ . 28 June 2021.
  13. Web site: Ltd. Jacobs Media Group. Reborn Flybe appoints chief executive. 2021-10-27. Travel Weekly. en. 22 November 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211122195646/http://travelweekly.co.uk/news/air/reborn-flybe-appoints-chief-executive. live.
  14. Web site: Perry. Dominic. Flybe appoints ex-Ravn Air chief to spearhead relaunch as crew recruitment push continues. 26 October 2021. 2021-10-27. FlightGlobal. limited. 26 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211026134210/https://www.flightglobal.com/airlines/flybe-appoints-ex-ravn-air-chief-to-spearhead-relaunch-as-crew-recruitment-push-continues/146087.article. live.
  15. News: Perry . Dominic . Flybe picks Birmingham as first UK base and HQ . FlightGlobal . 17 November 2021 . en . 13 April 2022 . 18 November 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211118100351/https://www.flightglobal.com/airlines/flybe-picks-birmingham-as-first-uk-base-and-hq/146469.article . live .
  16. Web site: Safety Manager - Aviation . LinkedIn. 24 July 2023 .
  17. News: Orban . André . Flybe's first flight takes to the skies from Birmingham Airport . Aviation24.be . 13 April 2022 . 13 April 2022 . 13 April 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220413103523/https://www.aviation24.be/defunct-airlines/flybe/flybes-first-flight-takes-to-the-skies-from-birmingham-airport/ . live .
  18. News: King . Ian . Flybe sets out to boldly achieve what no airline has done before . Sky News. 13 April 2022 . en.
  19. Web site: McDonald . Gary . 2022-07-07 . More summer travel chaos as Flybe axes Belfast flights . 2022-11-23 . The Irish News. en.
  20. News: 2022-09-21 . Flybe: Airline returns to Isle of Man with new flights . en-GB . BBC News . 2022-11-23.
  21. News: 2022-10-28 . Flybe cancels scheduled Isle of Man winter flights . en-GB . BBC News . 2022-11-23.
  22. Web site: Cancer patients may be losing out, TT 2023's "clear benefits", City of Douglas yet to mark the fact, Flybe gave less than 30 mins notice to quit and 40 years ago today Manx Airlines started. It's Update with Andy Wint #iom #news #manxradio - Manx Radio - Update . 2022-11-23 . Manx Radio. en.
  23. Web site: Flybe to link Newcastle with London Heathrow . 2022-11-23 . Business Traveller . en-GB.
  24. Web site: Airline drops service from Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) . 2022-11-23 . Bradford Telegraph & Argus. 9 November 2022 . en.
  25. Web site: Airline confirms service will NOT be returning to Leeds Bradford Airport . 2022-11-23 . Bradford Telegraph & Argus . 10 November 2022 . en.
  26. Web site: 2022-11-11 . Flybe to scale back winter operation in Belfast due to 'unexpected late aircraft deliveries' . 2022-11-23 . The Irish News . en.
  27. Web site: Flybe: Regional carrier ceases trading and cancels all flights. BBC News. 28 January 2023. 28 January 2023.
  28. https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/uk-airline-flybe-put-administration-cancels-scheduled-flights-2023-01-28/ reuters.com - UK's Flybe enters administration, cancels all flights
  29. News: Ryanair and EasyJet ready to snap up Flybe staff . 29 January 2023 . BBC News . January 30, 2023.
  30. News: Aer Lingus Regional Takes Over Two Flybe Routes from Belfast . 2 February 2023.
  31. News: Perry . Dominic . Late aircraft delivery contributed to Flybe collapse, say administrators . FlightGlobal . 28 January 2023 . en.
  32. News: CAA considers granting temporary operating licence to Flybe administrators . Travel Weekly . 8 February 2022 .
  33. News: Gill . Oliver . Lufthansa and Air France-KLM circle collapsed Flybe . The Telegraph . 4 February 2023 . subscription.
  34. News: Lufthansa, Air France-KLM eye Flybe landing slots, report says . Reuters . 4 February 2023 . 5 February 2023.
  35. News: Kaminski-Morrow . David . UK's Flybe to be wound down as 'complexities' thwart rescue efforts . Flight Global . 15 February 2023 . en.
  36. News: Perry . Dominic . Failed Flybe was 'losing millions per month', say administrators, as total deficiency tops £82m . FlightGlobal . 30 March 2023 . en.
  37. Web site: Joint Administrators' proposals: Flybe Limited - in Administration . 8 . 20 March 2023 . Interpath . 31 March 2023.
  38. Web site: Conditions of carriage. Flybe. 2022-05-21. Our address is: 2nd Floor, Diamond House, Birmingham Airport, Birmingham, B26 3QJ..
  39. Web site: LeisureParksEvents_Cycling_and_Walking_foldout_map.pdf. Metropolitan Borough of Solihull. 2022-05-21.
  40. Web site: Flybe Ltd Companies House Confirmation Statement 2021 . Companies House.
  41. Web site: Thyme Investco Ltd Companies House Confirmation Statement 2021 . Companies House.
  42. Web site: Formation of Aviation Joint Venture – Company Announcement - FT.com . 2022-04-10 . markets.ft.com . 13 April 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220413190145/https://markets.ft.com/data/announce/full?dockey=1323-13931284-2AF26LLQJ9E48T7J3C8R76A1B2 . live .
  43. Web site: Flybe Bombardier Q400 Seating Chart - Updated April 2022 - SeatLink . 2022-04-10 . www.seatlink.com . 13 April 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220413190147/https://www.seatlink.com/airlines/flybe/seat-maps/flybe-bombardier-q400-seat-map/ . live .
  44. Web site: Ticket Types . 2022-05-06 . www.flybe.com .
  45. Web site: Onboard refreshments . Flybe FAQ . 2022-05-03.
  46. Web site: Routes Operated . 2022-05-03 . www.flybe.com.
  47. Web site: 7 September 2022 . Flybe Adds Geneva to Its Birmingham Winter Schedule . 8 September 2022 . Airways Magazine.
  48. Web site: Our Winter 2022/3 Network . 20 September 2022 . Flybe.
  49. Web site: Search the G-INFO aircraft register Civil Aviation Authority . www.caa.co.uk. 2022-10-01. 2022-10-01.
  50. Web site: NAC delivers one DHC8-400, MSN 4155, to Flybe Limited on lease. Nordic Aviation Capital. 26 November 2021 .
  51. Web site: 2022-05-30 . Flybe is now operating the first of five Aergo Capital Q400s under long-term leases . 2022-05-30 . AVIATOR . en.

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