Troubled airline Flybe in survival funding talks

Flybe, Europe’s biggest regional airline and the largest airline in terms of passenger volumes at Birmingham Airport, is said to be at the point of collapse with bosses locked in survival talks in a bid to avoid administration that would put 2,000 jobs at risk.

According to Sky News, the airline has found itself at risk once again less than a year after its rescue by a Virgin Atlantic-led consortium of buyers.

The airline, which handles half of Britain’s domestic flights outside London, has been trying to secure additional financing amid mounting losses.

EY is understood to be on standby to handle an administration of Flybe Group.

Flybe operates about 75 aircraft and serves more than 80 airports across the UK and Europe.

On Twitter last night, Flybe said: “Flybe continues to provide great service and connectivity for our customers while ensuring they can continue to travel as planned. We don’t comment on rumour or speculation.”

In October, the airline officially changed its name to Virgin Connect following its £2.8m sale to a consortium of operators called Connect Airways, which was led by Richard Branson’s Virgin Atlantic.