The Chief Executive of Flybe has criticised Gatwick for not addressing the needs of Britain’s regions in the battle with Heathrow to win support for expansion. Mr.Hammad, the boss of the UK’s largest regional carrier said that Heathrow had been ‘more specific’ about what it was they were going to do with regards to take off and landing spots and on charges for domestic flights.
He said:
“I don’t think Gatwick has been as sensitive as we would like. Right now, Heathrow has one up on Gatwick in terms of listening to regional needs and requirements.”
The airport, which is based in West London has said that it would look into cutting charges for regional flights as part of a regular review of fees, although no actual binding commitment has been made. Currently, Flybe has no flights into Heathrow and just one into Gatwick from Newquay, having sold 25 pairs of slots to low cost carrier Easyjet back in 2013.
A spokesperson representing Gatwick said that the airport had the best regional links of any London airport and that it would remain cheaper than Heathrow, even if they did reduce their domestic fees. It said that later this month it would be setting out its own proposals on how to improve fees.
The Gatwick spokesperson said:
“UK plc needs a network of long-haul airports that provide direct services around the world, rather than forcing all flights through a single-hub airport in the capital.”
The comments from the Flybe CEO came as the company pledged a return to profit. He said:
“We think the worst is over in terms of losses. Analysts were forecasting a return to the black for the year to March 2016 and we want to deliver against those expectations.”
The company has also delivered on its promise to cut costs, having made around £71 million in savings in the past 18 months.
