Transport secretary Grant Shapps said on Thursday levelling up connectivity across the UK’s regions and nations “was a top priority for this government”. However, he said it was not the role of government to prop up carriers like Flybe, despite the role they play in the UK’s regional transport network.
Shapps said reviews of regional connectivity and APD featured in the government’s “conversations” with Flybe in January when the embattled regional carrier made a plea for state aid or tax relief.
