The new chief executive of Flybe has hinted that Devon will have to work with the airline to ensure its headquarters remains at Exeter Airport.
Flybe ran into financial difficulties last year and was rescued by a consortium of Virgin Atlantic, Stobart Group and Cyrus.
This week it announced that the airline would be rebranded Virgin Connect, an exercise that will begin next spring.
Chief executive Mark Anderson spoke publicly yesterday for the first time, making it clear that a major restructuring exercise was under way.
He did not deny that job losses would be required, but said it was too early to be specific, saying: “It could be that there will be a number of roles that are impacted, but we haven’t yet got to numbers.
“Can I guarantee everyone a job for life? The answer is no I can’t."
And he said there were likely to be changes in the routes served by the airline. He said he was personally committed to Exeter and was making his life here.
“Flybe has a very great heritage of operating in Exeter and being a great partner for Exeter Airport, and we have no plans to change that.”
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However, he added: “I think it’s fair to say that there’s a lot of work that we need to do with local authorities, with the airport, and with other key stakeholders in the region, to really grow what we have.
“Not every region has an amazing airport and an amazing airline on its doorstep, and I don’t believe we have yet maximised the potential of either.
“I’m in a number of conversations with the local authorities, with the airport and with others to look at how we can work more collaboratively to build a long-term strategic plan and to invest in the future.
“It’s true, we could be located in other places. We’re very proud of being in Exeter, but I don’t think that commitment can be taken for granted.
“The environment we’re in needs to make a commitment.
"We’re in a very competitive environment. We have a lot of people around the 海角视频 who want airlines to be based in their regions, and I know that all of the key stakeholders in the region will have to get together to make sure that Virgin Connect stays here.”
"He said that would mean growing the airport and infrastructure to support it. “I definitely think we can do a lot more around infrastructure.”
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In what appeared to be a challenge to local people to use the airline, he said they had to ensure “that everyone in the region knows what is on offer on their doorstop. That they don’t need to travel to other places.”
“It’s great that we have an airport on our doorstep, but that shouldn’t be taken for granted.
Mr Anderson said they would be investing in technology to “help our customers to help themselves."
“Painting ‘Virgin Connect’ on an aircraft is easy; making sure that your end-to-end service is right takes longer.
The airline is looking to streamline its service and speed up the customer’s journey from buying a ticket to boarding.
“The biggest thing is, how do we make you feel when you’re on board.
He was adamant that “we are not a low-cost airline.”
Flybe is the largest independent regional airline in Europe. It carries nine million passengers a year between 81 airports across the 海角视频 and the rest of Europe.
He said that in the past Flybe had “probably made some mistakes in terms of what is this business and what are we trying to do”.
“Recognising where we are strong and have a right to grow is critical. That’s where mistakes have been made in the past – going after unsuitable aircraft of flying to routes customers don’t want.
“Without beating about the bush, Flybe was in distress.”
Matt Roach, managing director of Exeter Airport, said: “This is a milestone moment and further evidence of the commitment to the South West and the opportunities for broader connectivity and growth at Exeter Airport.
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"Connect Airways have delivered on its promises since taking over Flybe and we very much look forward to seeing passengers travelling via the Virgin Connect insignia from our airport next year."
Andrew Bell, chief executive of Regional and City Airports (RCA), which owns and operates Exeter Airport alongside Norwich, Coventry and Bournemouth airports, said: “Regional airports have a critical role to play in the 海角视频’s transport infrastructure but in order to be successful they need the commitment of the big carriers and operators.
"The name change from Flybe to Virgin Connect brings a world-renowned brand to Exeter and underlines its importance as a strategic gateway to and from our region."