This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/05/business/flybe-administration-coronavirus.html

The article has changed 17 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 15 Version 16
Flybe, a British Regional Airline, Stops Flying Flybe, a British Regional Airline, Stops Flying
(7 days later)
Flybe, an ailing regional airline in Britain that was praised for flying into underserved corners of the country, ceased operations on Thursday after financial strains caused by coronavirus.Flybe, an ailing regional airline in Britain that was praised for flying into underserved corners of the country, ceased operations on Thursday after financial strains caused by coronavirus.
In a notice on its website dated Thursday, Flybe said that all its flights had been grounded and that it would not be able to make other arrangements for its passengers. It said the company had been placed in administration, and it directed questions to Ernst & Young, the auditing firm.In a notice on its website dated Thursday, Flybe said that all its flights had been grounded and that it would not be able to make other arrangements for its passengers. It said the company had been placed in administration, and it directed questions to Ernst & Young, the auditing firm.
The company reportedly had about 2,000 employees. Efforts at a government bailout, announced this year, never got final approval.The company reportedly had about 2,000 employees. Efforts at a government bailout, announced this year, never got final approval.
“This is a sad day for U.K. aviation, and we know that Flybe’s decision to stop trading will be very distressing for all of its employees and customers,” said Richard Moriarty, chief executive of Britain’s Civil Aviation Authority, in a separate statement from the British regulator.“This is a sad day for U.K. aviation, and we know that Flybe’s decision to stop trading will be very distressing for all of its employees and customers,” said Richard Moriarty, chief executive of Britain’s Civil Aviation Authority, in a separate statement from the British regulator.
Officials expressed hope that other airlines would pick up some of Flybe’s service. On Thursday afternoon, Loganair, a Glasgow-based regional airline, announced that it would take up 16 of Flybe’s routes, and offered to hire some of its pilots, cabin crew and office support crew.Officials expressed hope that other airlines would pick up some of Flybe’s service. On Thursday afternoon, Loganair, a Glasgow-based regional airline, announced that it would take up 16 of Flybe’s routes, and offered to hire some of its pilots, cabin crew and office support crew.
The coronavirus outbreak, which has sickened more than 95,700 people in at least 81 countries, has hit the travel industry hard, leading airlines big and small to cut flights as tourists stay home.The coronavirus outbreak, which has sickened more than 95,700 people in at least 81 countries, has hit the travel industry hard, leading airlines big and small to cut flights as tourists stay home.
For Flybe, which had been on financial life support for months, an increase in bookings was necessary for its survival, Graham Braithwaite, director of transport systems at Cranfield University, said by phone on Thursday.For Flybe, which had been on financial life support for months, an increase in bookings was necessary for its survival, Graham Braithwaite, director of transport systems at Cranfield University, said by phone on Thursday.
“It was already in trouble, and the coronavirus accelerated the inevitable,” just as bookings were expected to pick up ahead of spring and summer holidays, Mr. Braithwaite said.“It was already in trouble, and the coronavirus accelerated the inevitable,” just as bookings were expected to pick up ahead of spring and summer holidays, Mr. Braithwaite said.
As a low-cost regional airline, Flybe was “operating in a very competitive and price sensitive market, and it was vulnerable to rising costs,” said Lucy Budd, professor of Air Transport Management at De Montfort University, in an email on Thursday.As a low-cost regional airline, Flybe was “operating in a very competitive and price sensitive market, and it was vulnerable to rising costs,” said Lucy Budd, professor of Air Transport Management at De Montfort University, in an email on Thursday.
Mr. Braithwaite added: “Flybe ran out of options and ran out time.” He warned that Flybe might have been the first airline whose collapse was sped up by the virus, but that it wouldn’t be the last.The carrier’s financial problems go back at least to October 2018, when it issued a profit warning based on projections of weaker demand. Its shares fell by about a third, as analysts pointed to increasing competition with budget carriers like Ryanair and uncertainty leading up to Britain’s departure from the European Union. Brexit was widely considered to be a factor in last year’s collapse of Thomas Cook, the British travel agency.Mr. Braithwaite added: “Flybe ran out of options and ran out time.” He warned that Flybe might have been the first airline whose collapse was sped up by the virus, but that it wouldn’t be the last.The carrier’s financial problems go back at least to October 2018, when it issued a profit warning based on projections of weaker demand. Its shares fell by about a third, as analysts pointed to increasing competition with budget carriers like Ryanair and uncertainty leading up to Britain’s departure from the European Union. Brexit was widely considered to be a factor in last year’s collapse of Thomas Cook, the British travel agency.
Flybe’s prospects briefly brightened a year ago when it was bought for 2.2 million pounds ($2.8 million) by Richard Branson’s carrier, Virgin Atlantic, and its partners, Stobart Group and Cyrus Capital.Flybe’s prospects briefly brightened a year ago when it was bought for 2.2 million pounds ($2.8 million) by Richard Branson’s carrier, Virgin Atlantic, and its partners, Stobart Group and Cyrus Capital.
But financial problems continued, and the British government announced this year that it was exploring options that could lead to its recovery, including adjustments to the Air Passenger Duty, a tax paid by plane operators.But financial problems continued, and the British government announced this year that it was exploring options that could lead to its recovery, including adjustments to the Air Passenger Duty, a tax paid by plane operators.
In January, Sajid Javid, then chancellor of the Exchequer, said the government would take new measures to support connectivity across Britain.In January, Sajid Javid, then chancellor of the Exchequer, said the government would take new measures to support connectivity across Britain.
Updated July 7, 2020
The coronavirus can stay aloft for hours in tiny droplets in stagnant air, infecting people as they inhale, mounting scientific evidence suggests. This risk is highest in crowded indoor spaces with poor ventilation, and may help explain super-spreading events reported in meatpacking plants, churches and restaurants. It’s unclear how often the virus is spread via these tiny droplets, or aerosols, compared with larger droplets that are expelled when a sick person coughs or sneezes, or transmitted through contact with contaminated surfaces, said Linsey Marr, an aerosol expert at Virginia Tech. Aerosols are released even when a person without symptoms exhales, talks or sings, according to Dr. Marr and more than 200 other experts, who have outlined the evidence in an open letter to the World Health Organization.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles.
A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico.
The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth.
The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
“I welcome Flybe’s confirmation that they will continue to operate as normal, safeguarding jobs in U.K. and ensuring flights continue to serve communities across the whole of the U.K.,” he said in a statement at the time.“I welcome Flybe’s confirmation that they will continue to operate as normal, safeguarding jobs in U.K. and ensuring flights continue to serve communities across the whole of the U.K.,” he said in a statement at the time.
But the measures received a lukewarm response from Prime Minister Boris Johnson.But the measures received a lukewarm response from Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
“It’s not for government to step in and save companies that simply run into trouble,” he told the BBC in January, “but be in no doubt that we see the importance of Flybe in delivering connectivity across the whole United Kingdom.”“It’s not for government to step in and save companies that simply run into trouble,” he told the BBC in January, “but be in no doubt that we see the importance of Flybe in delivering connectivity across the whole United Kingdom.”
In February Mr. Javid quit as chancellor, in a reshuffling of Mr. Johnson’s government. The bailout effort ultimately failed, according to The Financial Times, after the government rejected the idea of a £100 million loan.In February Mr. Javid quit as chancellor, in a reshuffling of Mr. Johnson’s government. The bailout effort ultimately failed, according to The Financial Times, after the government rejected the idea of a £100 million loan.
Flybe, which was based in Exeter, in southwestern England, dominated many smaller airports. For example, it provided 95 percent of all flights at Southampton Airport, along Britain’s southern coast.Flybe, which was based in Exeter, in southwestern England, dominated many smaller airports. For example, it provided 95 percent of all flights at Southampton Airport, along Britain’s southern coast.
Another major service hub was Belfast, in Northern Ireland.Another major service hub was Belfast, in Northern Ireland.
“The airline was a significant economic driver for the region, carrying 1.6 million passengers to and from Belfast in 2019,” Brian Ambrose, chief executive of Belfast City Airport, said in a statement on Thursday.“The airline was a significant economic driver for the region, carrying 1.6 million passengers to and from Belfast in 2019,” Brian Ambrose, chief executive of Belfast City Airport, said in a statement on Thursday.
Questions regarding regional connectivity and the impact on the local work force will need to be answered by the government in the coming days, but for Flybe staff who found themselves unemployed overnight, one question lingered: What now?Questions regarding regional connectivity and the impact on the local work force will need to be answered by the government in the coming days, but for Flybe staff who found themselves unemployed overnight, one question lingered: What now?
“It’s really sad,” Katherine Densham, one employee, told Sky News amid tears on Thursday.“It’s really sad,” Katherine Densham, one employee, told Sky News amid tears on Thursday.
“A lot of us have done this job straight out of college,” she said, “so I’m not really sure what we are going to do now.”“A lot of us have done this job straight out of college,” she said, “so I’m not really sure what we are going to do now.”