Flybe to close six bases to deliver 500 job cuts

Flybe stated (15-Nov-2013) that further to the announcement on 11-Nov-2013, it has commenced collective consultations with Balpa, Unite, Prospect and employee representatives in respect of the company's proposal to make around 500 redundancies in the UK. Flybe said the consultations with the trades unions have been constructive and it has been agreed with the respective unions that, in order to assist the consultation process and to provide transparency across the business, the company will publish details of the proposed base closures and proposed reductions in employee numbers that form part of the consultation process. The proposals under consultation include the proposed base closures at Aberdeen, Guernsey, Inverness, Isle of Man, Jersey and Newcastle. Proposed redundancies at each base are as follows:

• Aberdeen: 12;
• Belfast City: 52;
• Birmingham: 49;
• Edinburgh: 49;
• Exeter: 116;
• Guernsey: 12;
• Glasgow: 37;
• Inverness: 35;
• Isle of Man: 49;
• Jersey: 35;
• Manchester: 13;
• Newcastle: 17;
• Southampton: 17.

Flybe CEO Saad Hammad commented: "We are committed to connecting the UK's regions and we intend to continue flying to these airports after the base closures. "I know that these proposals are creating great personal uncertainty but they are necessary to secure a long-term future for Flybe and I am grateful to the various union and staff representatives for the very constructive manner in which we have been able to commence the consultation process. I hope that the detail of the proposed base closures and staff cuts will further assist that process." [more - original PR]