Unite, the principal aviation union, has given a tentative welcome to the announcement today (Monday 19 October) that regional airline Flybe has been bought out of administration.

 

Flybe collapsed in March this year, with the loss of hundreds of jobs as a result of longstanding financial issues. Its demise was hastened by the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic.

 

Bought from administration 

 

Flybe, subject to conditions, has been bought out of administration by Thyme Opco Ltd, the company is affiliated with the hedge fund Cyrus Capital a shareholder in Flybe, before it fell into administration.

 

Unite has already contacted the administrator Ernst and Young for further details about the sale and is already seeking an urgent meeting with Thyme Opco Ltd.

 

Clarification needed

 

Unite national officer for civil aviation Oliver Richardson said:  “Whilst we welcome the news  it is important that Thyme Opco clarifies just what kind of service it intends to run, the scale of its operations and the financial support for it ambitions.

 

“Many of the excellent Flybe staff who lost their jobs through no fault of their own, have since struggled to find comparable work. Unite will be seeking commitments that they will have the first opportunity to apply for new positions with the resurrected airline.

 

ENDS

 

Notes to editors:

 

During the coronavirus crisis Unite is working to keep workers and the public safe, to defend jobs and to protect incomes.

 

For media enquiries ONLY please contact Unite senior communications officer Barckley Sumner on 07802 329235 or 0203 371 2067.

 

Email: [email protected]

 

Twitter: @unitetheunion Facebook: unitetheunion1 Web: unitetheunion.org

 

Unite is Britain and Ireland’s largest union with members working across all sectors of the economy. The general secretary is Len McCluskey.