Struggling UK airline Flybe said Friday it is seeking a state loan and has been granted a tax holiday, after this week's rescue which has sparked anger from rival carriers. Flybe managing director Mark Anderson said in a message to staff that the regional airline, which narrowly avoided collapse on Tuesday, is in talks over the loan.
"We are in conversation with the government around a financial loan - a loan, not a bailout - a commercial loan, but that is the same as any loan we'd take from any bank," Anderson said in a message that was initially reported by the BBC and confirmed to AFP.
He added: "The government will not lend if they do not believe there is a credible plan. "No-one is going to throw good money after bad." Flybe added in a separate statement that it has agreed a payment plan to defer tax payments of less than £10 million ($13 million, 12 million euros) with Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) - which is Britain's tax authority.