Why coronavirus was not to blame for Flybe’s downfall

I RECENTLY wrote a letter (The Yorkshire Post, January 15) and expressed the view that, despite the excellent service provided by its employees, Flybe was a victim of bad management.

I still hold that view. Blaming its failure on the coronavirus is just another case of “a good day to release bad news” as you stated in your Editorial (The Yorkshire Post, March 6).

As a frequent Flybe passenger, I have experienced high levels of seat occupancy throughout. If coronavirus was the real culprit of failure, many more aircraft would now be grounded rather than flying without passengers simply to protect routes under EU regulations.

The Government, in line with commerce generally, is entitled to extend credit to late payers, but it was correct not to provide taxpayers’ money to subsidise operating losses occasioned by shareholders. It is only red tape that will delay another airline from taking over the Flybe routes to satisfy the significant passenger demand. The sooner that happens the better.

From: Peter Lacey, Sharpe Close, Barton on Humber.

HOW timely and reassuring that our NHS is receiving an extra £350m a week from our Brexit bonus. Other countries dealing with the coronavirus pandemic must be envious.

From: Hilary Andrews, Leeds.

TRAVELLING on the bus today with many pensioners made me wonder why, as this group is most vulnerable to the coronavirus, the buses remain filthy. Surely, with the number of those infected rising rapidly, it would be a good idea if the bus companies took some responsibility for reducing spread of the virus?

From: Peter Hyde, Driffield.

THE older generation, it seems, are to be left to fend for themselves whilst care will be concentrated on younger people. It seems a shame since I, as an oldie, have paid tax on my salary and even now am paying tax on my occupational pension. That’s the way of the world it seems, get rid of the old ones first.

From: Martin Graham, Meltham, Holmfirth.

THE coronavirus has been totally blown out of all proportion. Far more people die daily of road traffic accidents. This disease is nothing more than a strain of the flu. The media need to act more responsibly and stop whipping up a frenzy, and the public need to get a grip – stop panic buying and believing ridiculous hype.