Flybe 'would have paid millions', now it may sue

FLYBE is threatening legal action against the States if it does not open up the bidding process for Aurigny.

And its chief commercial officer announced that it was prepared to pay 'millions' for the loss-making airline Blue Islands has agreed a deal in principle with Treasury and Resources that would see the States paid only when the new merged airline made a profit while also securing the future of the vital Gatwick slots.

Mike Rutter (pictured) said Flybe welcomed the decision to seek a private sector solution for 'the Aurigny problem' but it was deeply concerned with the way the transaction was put together.

He believes Flybe has been the victim of discrimination and has demanded that Treasury open up the process to allow 'any airline, including Flybe, to bid'.

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