Flybe passenger numbers decline; reports pre-tax loss of £40.7m

On Friday, UK carrier Flybe reported a pre-tax loss of £40.7m for the year to 31 March, against a loss of £6.2m the year before. Flybe said UK passenger numbers fell by 1.1% last year to 7.2 million from 7.3 million. Fuel costs rose to £122.6m from £106.4m the year before. “Our results for 2012-13, while expected, are nonetheless disappointing. During the year, we have taken difficult decisions as part of our turnaround plan, which have affected all our people,” said chief executive Jim French. “Our turnaround plan has involved considerable efforts to reduce the cost base of the business.