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Aviation union seeks clarification over Flybe rescue

Aviation union Unite is seeking more details about plans to rescue failed Flybe and relaunch flights in the new year.

The UK regional carrier collapsed in March with the loss of hundreds of jobs as a result of longstanding financial issues. Its demise was hastened by the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The airline has been bought out of administration by Thyme Opco, a company affiliated with US hedge fund Cyrus Capital, a joint shareholder in Flybe before its failure.

Unite has already contacted administrator Ernst and Young for further details about the sale and is seeking an urgent meeting with Thyme Opco.

Unite national officer for civil aviation Oliver Richardson said: “Whilst we welcome the news  it is important that Thyme Opco clarifies just what kind of service it intends to run, the scale of its operations and the financial support for it ambitions.

“Many of the excellent Flybe staff who lost their jobs through no fault of their own, have since struggled to find comparable work.”

He added: “Unite will be seeking commitments that they will have the first opportunity to apply for new positions with the resurrected airline.”

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