In the wake of UK-based carrier Flybe’s grounding today (5 March 2020), the first signs are appearing of airlines and airports introducing recovery measures.

Loganair will take over services from Glasgow with daily service to Exeter and thrice daily to Southampton, with a fourth flight to be added in July.

In all, the airline is taking over 16 routes formerly flown by Flybe and will be adding nearly 400 new flights each week. It has opened a special recruitment line for former Flybe employees.

Managing director at Glasgow Airport, Mark Johnston, said: “Loganair’s decision to step in to operate the popular routes to Exeter and Southampton is welcome news on what has been a very challenging day. The airline’s management team have acted decisively in the space of a few hours to put considerable resources in place to take over these important daily services and this should be commended.”

Birmingham Airport says a number of routes operated by Flybe are served by other carriers and it has already arranged for two airlines to replace Flybe on five routes in the next few weeks. It will continue to engage with other airlines to replace the remaining capacity.

AGS Airports, which owns and manages Aberdeen, Glasgow and Southampton airports, said the demise of Flybe brings into stark focus the fragility of the UK’s domestic connectivity. Earlier this year, the UK government committed to levelling up all regions of the UK by conducting a review of regional connectivity.

This work must be progressed as a matter of urgency and reforming Air Passenger Duty (APD) is part of that review. AGS is already speaking to other airlines about backfilling the routes operated by Flybe for which there is clear demand.

Ryanair and British Airways have also joined EasyJet in releasing rescue fares for passengers who have been stranded following the collapse of Flybe. The CAA has released advice to UK consumers following Flybe entering administration.