Flybe cancels flights because of pilot shortages as it opens redundancy talks

Flybe has blamed a “combination of factors” for cancelling dozens of flights on Tuesday, including pilots being on holiday, as it confirmed plans to scale back operations.

The regional carrier apologised to passengers after cancelling 5% of flights, saying: “We are doing our best to mitigate the impact of the current situation that has arisen due to a combination of factors, including seasonality, pilots’ end of leave year, Easter holidays, base restructuring and the shortage of pilots across the industry that Flybe has highlighted over recent months.”

The carrier added that it had identified “several mitigation actions” but did not give any further details. Most of Tuesday’s cancelled flights were within the UK, with departures from Belfast City Airport and Birmingham among those affected, according to the BBC.

Separately, it also emerged on Tuesday that Flybe was to open negotiations with employees over plans to close its bases at Cardiff and Doncaster and scale back flights and operations at other hubs.

Talks are due to begin next week, according Unite, which represents 450 workers at the airline. The union said 38 pilots and 52 cabin crew were at risk of redundancy, and that it would be seeking assurances about the carrier’s long-term future.

Peter Coulson, Unite regional officer, said: “Our members are justifiably concerned about their jobs and future employment, as a result of the company cancelling a number of flights for operational reasons and having launched a redundancy programme.

“It is essential that Flybe is fully transparent with its workforce about the exact situation.”

Christine Ourmières-Widener, Flybe chief executive, said: “Our fleet reduction has always been core to improving our profitability. We are committed to assisting all our affected employees across the impact 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.”

Flybe is owned by Connect Airways, a consortium of Virgin Atlantic, Stobart Air and Cyrus Capital. It acquired the Exeter-based airline in January for £2.2m, after an aggressive expansion plan caused financial difficulties.