Flying dilemma

So the government has found a way of keeping Flybe aloft without cutting air passenger duty, which would be a regressive move in terms of its green policies. (Worryingly, though, ministers have promised to "review" the tax.) In finding ways of easing the airline's tax debt, the government could be said to be flouting the EU's state aid rules - and also Conservatives' own competitive instincts.

However, as comments by business flyers quoted in the BBC report indicate, the carrier is essential for certain classes of workers. Certainly, delays to and cancellation of large parts of the rail electrification programme which Liberal Democrats established while in coalition has thrown more travellers within Britain onto the roads and airways, but for journeys to other parts of these islands and to Scandinavia there is no practical alternative. Additionally, Flybe can point to the fact that the majority of its fleet consists of the relatively economical turboprop aircraft.