Flybe in survival talks to prevent collapse: What does it mean for the Channel Islands?

Reports suggest that commercial airline Flybe is at risk of collapse.

The company, which employs 2,000 people, has been in crisis talks to try to prevent it from going under, just one year after a consortium led by Virgin Atlantic bought the airline for £2.2 million.

In Jersey the airline has the third largest share of the market, operating 16 year round routes. In Guernsey it is much less with only two out of the total number of 13 year round routes.

Flybe is yet to officially comment on the report from Sky News, but in a tweet say they 'continue to provide great service and connectivity for customers' and that they do not 'comment on rumour or speculation.'

Despite that, people from the islands have already raised their concerns on social media about the possible collapse and prospect of losing money.

Meanwhile Blue Islands who operate some inter-island routes for Flybe across the Channel Islands, have issued a statement trying to reassure passengers:

Patients from Jersey who have booked with Flybe to travel to Southampton for hospital treatment are also being told to continue with their plans:

Flybe, which is the biggest regional airline, was bought by a consortium led by Richard Branson and the Stobart Group and was set to be re-branded as Virgin Connect and promised to pump in £100 million to the ailing airline.

The purchase was welcomed by a number of voices in the Channel Islands, including Jersey's Economic Development Minister who said he was "optimistic" about Flybe's new ownership presenting opportunities for incoming routes to the island.

There were concerns in April that the future for Flybe in the Channel Islands was uncertain after it announced it will stop flying planes out of Doncaster, Cardiff, Exeter and Norwich.