Regional airline Flybe has gone into administration. Falling demand for air travel in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak was partially to blame, the carrier said in a statement.

Ryanair has written to chancellor of the exchequer, Sajid Javid, calling on him to extend the air passenger duty ‘holiday’ given to Flybe to all UK airlines.

The British government is to consider reforming air passenger duty on domestic flights as part of a plan to save Flybe from collapse. It is thought the move could save Flybe up to £100 million over three years.

Connect Airways chief executive, Mark Anderson, was today joined by over 200 Flybe leaders for the long-awaited unveiling of the airline’s new name. As it enters a new era, the carrier will now fly under the Virgin brand with the name, Virgin Connect.

The deal gives the travel trade the benefit of connecting customers to and from the Zagreb-based airline’s European destinations via London Heathrow, Amsterdam Schiphol and Paris Charles de Gaulle airports.

Connect Airways has received merger clearance from the European Commission for its acquisition of Flybe. The go ahead will also see Connect acquire subsidiary Propius Holdings, and gives approval for its investment in Stobart Air Unlimited Company.