Martin Ford 05 March 2020

Flybe collapse hits council-owned airports

Council-owned airports across the country have been hit by the collapse of Flybe.

The airline entered administration this morning, ceasing trading and leading to the grounding of all flights.

It operated domestic flights between dozens of regional airports but encountered financial difficulties last year and, despite new ownership, narrowly avoided going under in January.

The Government is ‘urgently’ working to find other airlines to take over Flybe’s routes, which would offer a lifeline to airports that relied on the airline.

Among the most seriously affected is Cornwall Airport Newquay, which is owned by Cornwall Council.

Last year, Flybe accounted for almost two-thirds of departures from the airport.

Also affected are:

  • Birmingham Airport - majority owned by Birmingham, Coventry and Wolverhampton city councils, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull and Walsall MBCs;
  • City of Derry Airport – owned by Derry City and Strabane DC;
  • Manchester and East Midlands airports – majority owned by Manchester and Salford city councils, Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Wigan MBCs;
  • Newcastle Airport - majority owned by Northumberland and Durham councils, Gateshead, South and North Tyneside MBCs, Newcastle and Sunderland city councils.

A Government spokesman said: ‘We are working closely with industry to minimise any disruption to routes operated by Flybe, including by looking urgently at how routes not already covered by other airlines can be re-established by the industry.

‘Flybe's financial difficulties were longstanding and well-documented, and pre-date the outbreak of COVID-19.’

Anglesey Airport, owned by Isle of Anglesey CC and Teeside International Airport, owned by Tees Valley Combined Authority, have all avoided impact for the time being as their Flybe flights are operated by Eastern Airways.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Class Teacher

Durham County Council
£31,650 - £43,606
Teacher M1 - M6    £31,650 - £43,606 Full Time, Whole Time Temporary – required 1st September 2025 until 31st August 2026 The Governors of Red Rose P Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

SEN Clerical Assistant

Durham County Council
£24,027 - £24,404 pro rata
SEN Clerical Assistant Grade 2   £24,027 - £24,404 pro rata Temporary – one year contract from start date Required as soon as possible The Woodlands Ferryhill
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Deputy SENCO

Durham County Council
£31,650 - £49,084 + £9,782
Deputy SENCO  M1 - UPR3 plus TLR1A £31,650 - £49,084 + £9,782 Full Time, Whole Time Required for September 2025 Permanent Durham Johnston Comprehensi Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Teacher of Music

Durham County Council
£31,650 - £49,084 pro rata
Teacher of Music  Part Time  0.6 FTE MPS / UPS  £31,650 - £49,084 pro rata Permanent Required from September 2025 Durham Johnston Comprehensive Schoo Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Teacher of Geography

Durham County Council
£31,650 - £49,084
Teacher of Geography  M1 – UPR3  £31,650 - £49,084 Full Time, Whole Time Required for September 2025 Permanent Durham Johnston Comprehensive School i Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner