We awoke this morning, not only to a thick coating of sparkling white frost all over the garden, but also to the news that the UK's regional airline Flybe had collapsed.
This is very sad news for all the staff of the airline who now face a struggle to find new jobs, but is also a blow to our little island as almost 50% of flights to and from the UK have been on Flybe. Not least is the impact on the Patient Transfer Service, as Flybe had been contracted to fly our patients to Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham for specialist hospital appointments that cannot be served on-island.
Just one more problem caused by the ever increasing fallout from the coronavirus issue.
The end of Fly-Be is tragic - not only for The Isle of Man but also for England's South West, Southampton and The Channel Isles too. Free enterprise isn't always the best way forward. However, let us hope that other carriers like Loganair step into the breach.
ReplyDeleteWe have a twice-daily Loganair flight to London City airport but this has become rather unreliable recently with frequent delays and cancellations. I really hope they do not pull out of the Isle of Man route as we may not have many options left. We could see many of our airport staff lose their jobs too.
DeleteSad indeed and as you say - it won't be the last casualty of the virus.
ReplyDeleteI suspect this just the beginning.
DeleteBad news indeed. Serious if it means the end of airlifts. I hope some other means of transport can be worked out for all of you
ReplyDeleteWe do still have another airline offering flights to and from the UK at the moment but, if they become the only operator costs are bound to increase. There is, of course, the ferry but it is not known as the vomit-comet for nothing. The Irish Sea can get quite rough.
DeleteYes.What a blow for all the staff and worrying for you if there is a medical emergency.My daughter took a school trip to your island and her description of the crossing was vomitcomet.Not funny with loads of children.
ReplyDeleteOh dear. I can imagine it got pretty messy.
DeleteYes, a sad story at FlyBe after a long time of being financially on the edge of bankruptcy then in administration then saved then lost. Many small airlines are in this predicament. Richard Branson should have dug deeper in his Virgin pocket. He could have done.
ReplyDeleteSo many people will lose out by this in the marginal areas of the British Isles. The big airlines aren't interested in the regions.
DeleteVirgin got involved only a few months ago and then didn't put enough money in. I query as to why they got involved in the first place if they did not intend to do the job properly. Madness.
DeleteIt certainly seems to have been a loss maker.
DeleteAlthough this is a big problem for you and other Manx residents, I had to laugh at your description of the ferry crossing!
ReplyDelete😁
DeleteThose planes won't be grounded for too long. Someone will take over, repaint them, and provide a possibly reduced service (just the profitable bits). The islands can't just be cut off at a whim!
ReplyDeleteIt will be interesting to see what develops.
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