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2020.03.09
6.1 Deputy K.G. Pamplin of the Chief Minister regarding the airline Flybe:
Will the Minister outline what measures the Government is undertaking to support the effects of Flybe collapsing and the knock-on effects, if any, to passengers, or those whose jobs are at risk locally?
Senator J.A.N. Le Fondré:
The Assistant Minister, Senator Farnham , is taking this question. Senator L.J. Farnham (Assistant Chief Minister - rapporteur):
Members will have received an email from me over the weekend, detailing the steps that have already been taken to maintain and replace the services that will be affected by the closure of Flybe and the advice to affected passengers and staff. We are working closely with Blue Islands, a privately-owned Channel Islands-based airline, operated on behalf of Flybe under a franchise arrangement and will continue to work closely with them in the weeks and months ahead. Within 24 hours of the Flybe announcement, the Inverness and Aberdeen routes were taken up by Loganair and, over the weekend, Blue Islands have confirmed that it will be taking on Flybe's Birmingham and Exeter routes. They have launched a new website and online booking system and are operating their schedule as planned. Hospital patients using the Southampton route have been contacted and rebooked if necessary and Customer and Local Services stand ready to help any affected staff.
6.1.1 Deputy K.G. Pamplin:
Thank you, Minister, for his answer and his helpful emails over the weekend. My thoughts turn to the situation that he alluded to with Islanders' with links to treatment in Southampton and their frequent visits. Does he agree with me that part of the future work, when the dust settles, is to find a sustainable way of achieving sustainable prices for people to make sure they go to Southampton on a regular basis than the situation is at present?
[17:30]
Senator L.J. Farnham :
Yes, I do agree with that and that is at the heart of conversations and negotiations that are being had with potential airlines that might be interested in filling that route. I would also add that under the franchise agreement with Flybe and Blue Islands, Blue Islands did operate 4 of the 5 flights a day to Southampton at this time of the year and in the summer they operated 5 of the 6 flights, so the vast majority of Southampton flights are operated by Blue Islands and those schedules are being maintained.
The Deputy Bailiff :
Thank you. Moving back to the Consolidated Order Paper, there is nothing under J. Under K, Statements on a Matter of Official Responsibility, there are 2 statements and the makers of the statements have asked to change the order. So, the first statement is the statement in relation to the Our Hospital project to be made by Senator Farnham .