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There is still no news from the resurrected Flybe on when it will take off again and where it will fly to - despite previously saying it would launch in Spring.
The airline, which can trace it roots back to the founding of Jersey European Airways in 1979, was one of the first major casualties of the pandemic, collapsing into administration in March 2020.
But in October of that year, the brand was bought from the receiver by a consortium called Cyrus Capital and work started to get ‘Flybe 2.0’ airborne.
Flybe announced last year that it would restart flying to destinations in the UK and EU in “early 2022” from a new base at Birmingham Airport.
Recently, Flybe-liveried Q400 aircraft have been spotted landing at Newquay and Exeter airports, which the airline confirmed to be training flights.
It added: “Flybe is preparing for its Spring launch and is currently busy recruiting and completing training flights around the UK.
“At present, we are planning a schedule to accompany the launch and will be announcing further details on our routes in the near future.”
Pictured: Flybe 2.0 announced that Birmingham Airport would be its new headquarters in November 2021.
No Flybe 2.0 aircraft has flown into Guernsey, which was a significant destination for the first incarnation of the airline.
Regularly flying to and from Gatwick, Southampton, Exeter, Birmingham and other UK cities, Flybe was once the largest carrier in Jersey. Owned by a Jersey resident, the late Jack Walker, Jersey had a strong claim to call Flybe its own, even if the carrier had its headquarters in Exeter.
However, under new ownership, the airline went into administration, with the loss of more than 2,000 jobs.
Since Flybe’s relaunch, Belfast has been tipped as another potential hub, particularly as the airline still holds some slots at Heathrow.
However, with no firm date announced for Flybe to take to the skies with passengers, some commentators are raising questions over whether the airline will be ready in time for the start of the summer season at the end of this month.
Respected travel journalist Simon Calder wrote recently in the Independent: “Sunday 27 March is when the summer schedules begin – and, being just ahead of Easter and the extra travelling that the holiday involves, it would seem an obvious day to begin.
“But airlines also need to put their schedules on sale with plenty of time for people to book. With barely three weeks remaining before the official start of summer in the airline world, the chances of a launch in the first quarter of 2022 look increasingly remote.”
Express has contacted Flybe to ask when it hopes to launch and whether Guernsey will feature in its network.
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