Politics Edge Out the Planet in Rescue of Struggling Airline Flybe

The UK government has stepped in to save struggling regional airline Flybe. The carrier, which serves domestic and short-haul routes across northern and western Europe, lives to fight another day after a rescue deal cobbled together with its owners and politicians. Everyone seemed to have an opinion on the bailout, including environmentalists who argued the available UK rail system as an alternative would be less harmful to the environment than backing a carbon-spewing airline. What's more, the decision to back the airline contradicts previous stances on the likes of Thomas Cook and Monarch. Both of these companies collapsed. "I am delighted that we have managed to reach an agreement with Flybe shareholders to keep the company in operation, ensuring that regions across the country can continue to be connected," Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom said. Aside from a review of "regional connectivity" and the UK's aviation tax, the official announcement didn't reveal much. Repr