Flybe has announced that Christine Ourmières-Widener has decided to step down from her role as chief executive.

The news follows the near collapse of the carrier and its eventual acquisition by Connect Airways.

Ourmières-Widener will step aside on July 15th.

Connect Airways is a consortium led by Virgin Atlantic and Stobart Air, with hedge fund Cyrus Capital as a third party.

The organisation took control of two Flybe in February in a deal valuing the company at one pence per share.

Flybe was pushed to the point of bankruptcy by over capacity in European aviation, rising fuel prices and slowing economies in its key markets.

“On behalf of the entire Flybe board, I want to extend my gratitude to Christine Ourmières-Widener for her commitment and significant contributions to Flybe,” said Jonathan Peachey, director, Flybe.

“This includes her tireless efforts to safeguard the future for the customers and communities who rely on Flybe, as well as the company’s employees, its pension fund members and its creditors.

“We all wish Christine the very best for the future.”

Flybe said expects to be in a position to announce a successor before Ourmières-Widener’s departure.

“It has been a privilege to lead Flybe over the past two years and to work with such an outstanding and dedicated team of professionals,” said Christine Ourmières-Widener.

“Together, we have been able to secure the jobs of our loyal Flybe employees with the sale to Connect Airways and provide our customers and the UK with the vital transport and travel infrastructure they rely on, while preparing Flybe for a bright future under its new ownership.”

Fybe

Flybe flies more UK domestic flights than any other airline – 53 per cent of all UK flights within mainland Britain (excluding London). 

The carrier currently operates 187 routes serving 11 countries from 71 departure points in the UK and Europe and is the largest scheduled airline by air traffic movements at Aberdeen, Belfast City, Birmingham, Cardiff, Doncaster Sheffield, Exeter, Glasgow, Isle of Man, Jersey, Manchester, Newquay and Southampton airports.