Stobart Group invests up to £9m in Flybe rescue deal
The airline was saved from collapse after an agreement between the Government and the consortium Connect Airways.
Stobart Group has said it is contributing up to £9 million as part of the rescue deal for Flybe, the troubled airline it purchased a stake in last year.
Flybe was saved from collapse on Tuesday evening following an agreement between the Government and Flybe’s owner Connect Airways, a consortium including Stobart, Virgin Atlantic and Cyrus Capital.
Stobart Group said in a London stock exchange update that the Connect Airways turnaround plan for Flybe was impacted by a “delay in receiving control” of the business.
Connect Airways, in which Stobart owns a 30% stake, announced its intention to acquire Flybe’s assets in January last year but only received merger clearance from the European Commission on July 5, it said.
The firm said it contributed to the cash injection after “working tirelessly alongside Flybe and the UK Government” to look for solutions to make the business more financially viable.
The Government agreed during the talks that it will review the application of Airline Passenger Duty (APD), with the intention to provide a further update at the time of the March Budget.
It was also reported the Government agreed to defer Flybe’s £106 million APD bill until after the winter.
Details of the deal have not been disclosed by the Government and Chancellor Sajid Javid said shareholders were persuaded by proposals to review the levy.
Stobart also said the Government agreed a “review of regional connectivity” to enhance the viability of domestic UK flights.
Tuesday’s rescue agreement has faced staunch criticism from airline rivals including British Airways owner International Airlines Group (IAG).
IAG filed a complaint European Commission on Wednesday, claiming the rescue deal for Flybe breached state aid rules and gives the struggling airline an unfair advantage.
Downing Street has since insisted there has been “no state aid to Flybe” and any support that is given to the firm would be on “strictly commercial terms”.
