A number of people have gathered at UK regional airline Flybe’s Exeter home today, but not to cheerlead the struggling airline to victory. No, these people are angry. Identifying as members of the climate campaign group Extinction Rebellion, the protesters are hoping to stop the government from offering any more state aid to Flybe, and are instead hoping to watch it fail.

A climate and transport injustice

Devon Live reports that a group of protesters from Extinction Rebellion have gathered outside Exeter Airport today to highlight the damage short, regional flights are doing. Specifically, they are complaining about the government’s perceived ‘bailout’ of the airline that took place last month.

The group told Devon Live that they want to raise awareness of what they are calling 'climate and transport injustice of the government bailing out a failing airline'.

In an interesting twist, members of the group who called themselves ‘The Landing Crew’ performed a choreographed semaphore display, apparently spelling out the message “Rebellion and emergency”.  Sharon Pavey, a spokesperson for Extinction Rebellion, told Devon Live,

“We are in a climate and ecological emergency and need to act now to reduce our carbon emissions to zero by 2025. This is the last UK government that will be able to take decisive action that could make a difference. It is perverse that while, on the one hand, they appear to pay lip service to our needs, on the other they are quick to consider state aid to a failing airline that is in part responsible for a significant amount of the most damaging carbon emissions.”

Flybe wasn’t afraid to come out

Rather than hiding behind their desks in the airport, Flybe came right out and spoke with the protestors, to share their side of the story. The airline pointed out that it operates the largest fleet of Dash 8-400s in the world, an aircraft which is more efficient and has lower carbon emissions than the equivalent jet aircraft.

The airline also pointed out that it was the first airline to launch an eco-label for its fleet, and that it had been working hard to phase out the most inefficient regional aircraft from its fleet. A spokesperson told Devon Live,

“As a member of the UK Sustainable Aviation coalition, Flybe is fully committed to cutting aviation net carbon emissions to zero by 2050 in line with UK government targets.

“This will be achieved through a number of measures including smarter flight operations, new aircraft and engine technology, modernizing UK airspace, the use of sustainable aviation fuels, and high-quality market-based policy measures.”

Why is Extinction Rebellion angry with Flybe?

Last month, Flybe received help from the British government in the form of a ‘holiday’ from paying its taxes. The taxes in question are its air passenger duty (APD), which amounted to around £100m. While the airline is not avoiding paying these taxes altogether, it is being allowed to defer payment for up to three months.

At the time, the move by the government came under fire from outspoken boss of Ryanair, Michael O’Leary. Willie Walsh, CEO of the International Airlines Group (IAG), owners of British Airways, also pitched in to criticize the move. Both suggested that the same benefit be afforded to other airlines flying out of the UK, in order to avoid unfair competition.

Hoping to talk to @flybe shortly pic.twitter.com/BVD4RKahSK

— Adrian Campbell (@campbellar) February 25, 2020

Despite the break from paying APD during the hardest time of the year, Flybe is still not in a good place. The New Statesman reports that “there are whispers in Westminster that the franchise could yet again ask for further government backing.”

A further bailout would be good news for Flybe, as it would allow the airline to enter the summer season in a much stronger position. However, as far as climate protesters are concerned, Flybe should not exist at all. In their view, zero-emissions means zero flying, and stopping shorter regional flights are high on the campaigners’ wish-lists.

Did you get caught up in the demonstration? Have an opinion on Flybe's government help? Let us know in the comments.