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Pilots union seeks urgent consultation with Flybe buyers

The British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA) has responded to the announcement that airline Flybe has found a potential buyer, saying it now needs to meet the consortium behind it to get more information.

Connect Airways Limited, a company bringing together Virgin Atlantic Limited, Stobart Group and Cyrus Capital, has announced it has reached agreement on the terms of a recommended cash offer for Flybe. The new company will also acquire Stobart Air.

While the pilots union says it’s glad the uncertainty over the future of Flybe is starting to clear, it needs reassurances on how the take-over will progress and whether this will have any effect on pilot jobs.

BALPA General Secretary, Brian Strutton, said:

“BALPA wants to see guarantees of job security and a commitment to a positive future for our members in Flybe.

“We’re pleased to see the previous uncertainty of the company is at last starting to clear but the hard work has just begun. There has been no consultation with us by Flybe so we don’t know whether the deal on offer is good news or not – the jury is out.

“We urgently seek to talk with all parties to get further information and clarity over what this will mean for pilots and other employees.”