Flybe passenger says his holiday plans have 'gone to pot'
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Flybe shut down overnight on March 2020 as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The collapse of the airline left travellers stranded and thousands of staff out of work.
Flybe has announced it is back.
With a new headquarters in Birmingham, the airline is set to create 600 jobs.
It will resume flying in spring next year.
Flybe’s chief executive David Pflieger said announcements about routes and destinations will be made over the coming months.
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David said: “We are thrilled to be partnering with Birmingham Airport, the city of Birmingham and the Mayor of West Midlands to make Birmingham Airport the location of our new headquarters and first crew base.”
Flybe was running 40 percent of all regional UK flights before it went bust.
West Midlands Mayor Andy Street said the airline’s move was a “show of faith in the West Midlands”.
The airline will bring jobs to the region, with Flybe pledging 200 jobs for Birmingham over the next three years and 400 jobs across the country.
He said: “This is fantastic news for our region’s connectivity needs and it will bring with it some great new employment opportunities.
“Dave’s vast experience in managing start-up airlines and turnaround situations, coupled with the recovery of the Midlands’ economy post-Covid, means that Flybe’s return to the skies from Birmingham is a shot in the arm for our airport as well as West Midlands businesses and communities.
“We look forward to working with Dave and his team in preparation for next spring and to launch such a well-known brand here in Birmingham.”
David added Birmingham would be “an ideal choice” for the company.
He said: “[It’s an] ideal choice for us due to its great people and highly skilled workforce, its central UK location and the fact that airport is a global travel hub where local and connecting customers have access to over 150 worldwide destinations.
“Today’s announcement marks the culmination of over 12 months of dedicated hard work by all involved and it would not have been possible without the support of the CAA and the UK Government.
“We plan to provide more information in the coming weeks and months about ticket prices, new routes and destinations and other important news.
“This is an incredibly exciting time for us and we look forward to sharing more updates in the future.”
On its website, Flybe said: “We’re working hard building a brand new Flybe for you.”
The airline was carrying eight million passengers between 81 airports across the UK and the rest of Europe before its collapse.
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