According to reports published in the Irish Independent, airlines including easyJet have been showing interest in some of the UK airports into which Flybe operates with a view to taking over routes if the firm fails to secure a rescue deal,
Exeter-based Flybe is owned by Connect Airways, a consortium that includes Aer Lingus Regional operator Stobart Air.
Dozens of its aircraft are leased from Limerick-based regional aircraft lessor Nordic Aviation Capital. Stobart Air is controlled by the UK-based Stobart Group. A recent report in the UK said the carrier had sufficient cash to continue operations until the end of this month.
Connect Airways paid just £2.2m (€2.6m) for Flybe last year but pledged to pump £100m of loans into the airline to keep it flying. Stobart Air owns 30 per cent of Connect, as does Virgin Travel Group, a subsidiary of Virgin Atlantic. Cyrus Equity Partners owns 40 per cent.
