Immediate release: Wednesday 3rd April
DAVIES: Concern as Flybe cancels flights amid redundancy talks
South Wales Central AM, Andrew RT Davies, has expressed ‘concern’ at the news Flybe has cancelled flights on Wednesday morning as it enters discussions over potential job losses.
According to Cardiff Airport boss, Debra Barber, Flybe is currently in the process of “consulting with a number of its employees, including its crew at multiple bases across its network, which includes Cardiff.”
The cuts will affect Doncaster and Exeter, as well as Cardiff, as the company seeks to drop expensive jets in favour of cheaper turboprop routes.
The airline currently flies to cities including Paris, Berlin, Rome, Munich, Milan, Geneva and Dublin from Cardiff.
According to reports, Flybe is shrinking its fleet and has cancelled an order for new E175 jets. As a result, it is reducing the number of flights it operates from Cardiff.
Commenting, South Wales Central Assembly Member, Andrew RT Davies AM said:
“This news will be of huge concern to many employees working for the Flybe network in Cardiff, which is also the airport's biggest operator and is vital to its success and that of the wider Welsh economy.
“Staff redundancies and a reduction in flights will have a detrimental impact on the airport and comes as a big blow for its future growth and development.
“In this time of uncertainty, the Minister must outline what discussions he has had with the company and how the Welsh Government intends to protect the multi-million pound investment it has made to support Flybe and its route development at Cardiff Airport.”
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Office of Andrew RT Davies AM