Flybe contract ends members’ uncertainty

News that Flybe has secured the contract to provide maintenance for Britain’s newest military transporter, the A400M Atlas airlifters, has been welcomed by Prospect.

The decision ends months of speculation over the future of company’s Exeter-based training academy and maintenance hub.

In a short statement today (Wednesday) the company confirmed that Flybe Aviation Services has been selected as the preferred bidder to provide maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services and that it is working with Airbus Military to progress to a final contract.

Prospect understands that the initial contract with the Royal Air Force will run for eight years but with the possibility of up to 35 years of work.

The union welcomed the fact that the MRO business will no longer be sold to raise revenues for the company – one of a number of options under consideration as part of new management team’s plans to turn the business around.

Prospect negotiator John Stevenson said: “Despite the deal being shrouded in secrecy for months, we have been kept abreast of the negotiations and have long argued the case that MRO is an integral part of any modern viable airline.

“It is pleasing that Flybe has listened to the views of the union and its representatives and ended the uncertainty that faced over 450 staff connected to the Exeter base.”

News that Flybe – Europe’s third-largest regional aircraft – had secured the deal was unveiled at the Farnborough Air Show.

The A400M is designed to carry personnel and heavy military equipment across the world and has the largest turbo-prop engines developed by a western European manufacturer.

The first of the 22 A400M aircraft are expected in September. Meanwhile, Flybe engineers are already undertaking preparatory work at Brize Norton in Oxfordshire.