Flybe to the boon

15 January 2020 By Ed Cropley Follow @edwardcropley

Britain has rescued the struggling regional airline operator by deferring a tax bill, and more help could follow. Boris Johnson can trumpet his aid for poorer bits of the UK. But downgrading climate change and free markets sends a grim signal of the prime minister’s priorities.

This content is for Subscribers only

Context News

Britain reached a deal on Jan. 14 to rescue struggling regional airline Flybe, with the government pledging to defer 106 million pounds in tax payments and shareholders pledging to inject more money, according to domestic media reports.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s administration also promised a review of Britain’s Air Passenger Duty, a 13 pound levy paid on every domestic departure.

Willie Walsh, the outgoing chief executive of British Airways-owner IAG, condemned the rescue as a “blatant misuse of public funds”.

Email a friend

Please complete the form below.

Required fields *