Flybe is concerned the takeover will affect its business

Flybe has failed in its last minute bid to delay the States of Guernsey's decision to buy local airline Aurigny.

The company wanted politicians to back its call for a short postponement but a sursis, aimed at giving politicians more time to discuss the takeover, was defeated.

Representatives of Flybe delivered a letter on Tuesday evening to all the island's politicians and Ian Taylor, General Channel Islands Manager, was at Beau Sejour on Wednesday to answer any questions States members had.

The takeover was proposed by Guernsey's States after British Airways' decision to stop flying the Guernsey to Gatwick route from 16 June.

States-subsidised

Flybe has said it is worried the takeover will seriously affect its business.

The managing director of Flybe, Jim French, said that his company does not want to operate on a route against States-owned opposition.

He said flying in competition with a States-subsidised airline would not be a level playing field and the company would be fighting an unfair battle.

He urged States members to look at all the available options before pressing ahead with the purchase of Aurigny.

But the States decided on Wednesday to buy Aurigny, at a cost of about �5m.

BA's decision to withdraw from Guernsey has been made because the 66-seater ATR 72 aircraft which operate the route will be retired and returned to their leasing company this summer.

Slot licences

The airline claims putting a larger aircraft type on the route would incur unsustainable losses.

However, Guernsey should try and acquire the landing slots at Gatwick airport and licence them to an independent airline, according to the chairman of the Guernsey Chamber of Commerce's transport sub-committee.

Roger Dadd says States members should be considering all the options ahead of the purchase debate and that a licence system works well for island ferry services and could also be used for Guernsey's air links.

Flybe's Jim French said his company was ready to provide that service without the government entering into the airline business.