Regional airline Flybe has spoken out on rumoured plans to close several of its UK bases - at a loss of hundreds of jobs.
In a statement on Wednesday afternoon, the airline said it's undertaken a 'base review' and has decided to terminate jet flights from several locations.
The review was put in place following its takeover by the Stobart Group last month, and will see it reduce its aircraft fleet and return all of its 118-seat Embraer 195 aircraft to its lessors.
The 78-seat Bombardier Q-400 will continue as the backbone of Flybe’s network, connecting the UK and the UK regions with the rest of the world.
Cardiff, Doncaster, Exeter and Norwich airports will all be impacted.
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Following discussions with Exeter airport, Flybe will cease jet operations from the start of the 2019-20 Winter programme.
The last jet flights will operate on Saturday 26 October 2019. This will not impact the Q400 operated schedule out of Exeter, nor the existing base structure.
In Norwich, Cardiff & Doncaster, Flybe will also cease jet operations from the start of the 2019-20 Winter programme. This will not affect services at Norwich operated by Flybe’s franchise partner, Eastern Airways.
The airline currently has a base at Cardiff & Doncaster airports to service its jet services. Once the jet flights cease, Flybe will close these bases, but will continue to offer flights to and from both Cardiff and Doncaster on Q400 with aircraft and crew flying from other bases.
Flybe added that the flight cancellations announced on Wednesday are unrelated ot this decision, and are the result of a combination of other factors.
Flybe CEO, Christine Ourmières-Widener said: "Our fleet reduction has always been core to improving our profitability. We are committed to assisting all our affected employees across the impacted Flybe bases. We remain fully committed to Exeter, Cardiff and Doncaster airports and will continue to offer a comprehensive choice of regional and European destinations operated by our 78-seat Bombardier Q400 aircraft."
