Flybe: Southampton Airport reacts after regional airline goes into administration amid 'additional' coronavirus pressure

SOUTHAMPTON Airport said it faces a ‘tough day’ after Flybe announced it had gone into administration overnight.
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The regional airline is the largest in the UK and is responsible for 95 per cent of flights at the Hampshire airport.

Southampton Airport’s live departures board shows just eight flights will leave the site between now and midday, with 13 cancelled.

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Responding to Flybe going into administration, Southampton Airport’s managing director, Neil Garwood, said: ‘Today is a tough day for Southampton Airport and for all regions across the UK.

Southampton Airport's departures desk. Picture: Louise NevilleSouthampton Airport's departures desk. Picture: Louise Neville
Southampton Airport's departures desk. Picture: Louise Neville

‘At this time our focus is on our people and our passengers, and especially the Flybe staff who have been part of the airport family for many years.

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‘We will be taking stock of where we are in the coming days, and working hard to find alternatives for passengers and connectivity for the people across our region.

‘Demand for flying remains and regional connectivity is more important than ever.

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‘The budget next week is a chance for the government to show leadership by abolishing air passenger duty tax and showing visible support for regional aviation in this country.’

Talks of scrapping the tax, which would cost Flybe £106m for three years, took place in January when fears of Flybe's downfall spiked.

Passengers pay around £26 in the duty for return domestic flights.

Transport secretary Grant Shapps and then businesses secretary Andrea Leadsom said two months ago time they were ‘delighted' to have arrived at a plan to keep Flybe operating.

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But the company’s roster of more than 2,000 staff were sent an email by CEO Mark Anderson today saying it went into administration.

He also said coronavirus, also known as Covid-19, had played a role by putting ‘additional’ pressure on the airline in its darkest hour.

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