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Special report: Questions raised on how close Flybe is to taking off again?

Firm which has acquired assets of defunct Flybe intends to fly again but must retain licence first and may not be in South West

A Bombardier Dash 8, this one was used by the now defunct Flybe

South West businesses would welcome the return of newly resurrected airline Flybe to the region – but there is no guarantee it will even fly again let alone to the West Country.

A new company called Flybe Ltd has from administrators and hopes to start flights in 2021.

But there is no indication the new firm will operate from the South West or even fly to it – if it even sees aircraft in the sky at all.

While the venture currently has an operating licence (OL), the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) actually revoked this and it is only still in place because an appeal has been lodged. A decision will be taken by transport minister Grant Shapps.

Meanwhile, there is no evidence as yet that the new company, connected to hedge fund Cyrus Capital, will be based in the South West or even run services to it.

Administrators have already sold the Exeter training academy to Devon County Council for £3.6million and have returned 65 leased aircraft.

The new company has so far declined to add to an initial statement which said that, subject to vaccination programmes and relaxation of travel restrictions, it plans to launch the new Flybe in Summer 2021 on many of its former routes.

It said the new company will initially be smaller than the original Flybe, which employed 2,000 people, but intends to grow and create jobs.