Flybe. (BE, Exeter International (EXT)) has reached a "conditional agreement" with easyJet (U2, London Luton (LTN)) to sell its entire portfolio of 25 slots at London Gatwick (LGW) for USD30million (GBP20million). In a statement, Flybe. said it would continue to operate all of the slots until March 29, 2014, during which time there will be no changes to flights, frequencies or timings to or from London Gatwick. The airline's Gatwick routes include: Belfast George Best City (BHD), Bergerac Roumaniere (EGC), Guernsey (GCI), Inverness (INV), Isle of Man Ronaldsway (IOM), Jersey (JER), Newcastle (NCL) and Newquay Cornwall (NQY). Flybe said proceeds from the deal, expected to be complete by July 2013, will be used to cut debts and for general working capital in addition to funding its turnaround plan dubbed the "Delivery and Future Direction" plan. As part of this plan, the airline has sold two of its Dash 8-400s and is deferring delivery of 16 EMB-175s until 2017-19 thereby cutting its winter 2013-14 pre-delivery payments by USD30milion. As a result of the cuts and sell-offs, Flybe. has now secured USD45million of its planned 2013-14 cost savings, exceeding its original USD37.5million target.

Ryanair (FR, Dublin International (DUB)) has thrown its hat into the ring with the announcement by company deputy chief executive, Howard Miller, that Ryanair would bid to acquire 25 Flybe. (BE, Exeter International (EXT)) slots at London Gatwick (LGW). The Irish LCC joins easyJet (U2, London Luton (LTN)) and several other unnamed carriers competing for the lucrative slots. Confronted with soaring fuel costs, falling passenger numbers and higher airport duties, Flybe has adopted tough new cost cutting measures which, aside from the Gatwick slot sale, includes the axing of about 10% of its 3'000-strong UK workforce; a move aimed at saving USD50million (GBP35million).

Flybe. (BE, Exeter International (EXT)) is reportedly in talks with easyJet (U2, London Luton (LTN)) among others to sell rights to landing slots at London Gatwick (LGW), a move which would allow easyJet to rapidly expand its at London's second largest airport. It is reported that Flybe.'s twenty-five slots, which include Belfast George Best City (BHD), Bergerac Roumaniere (EGC), Guernsey (GCI), Inverness (INV), Isle of Man Ronaldsway (IOM), Jersey (JER), Newcastle (NCL) and Newquay Cornwall (NQY), could fetch up to GBP20million altogether and would provide a much needed capital injection for the struggling regional carrier.

Rusline (7R, Moscow Sheremetyevo International (SVO)) has abandoned its short-lived leisure charter carrier experiment and will instead focus on its scheduled network. As a result, the two ex-easyJet (U2, London Luton (LTN)) A319-100s, VP-BDY (c/n 2442) and VP-BDZ (c/n 2446), it had taken delivery of in April 2012 have been transferred to fellow operator, Tatarstan Air (U9, Kazan International (KZN)). Tatarstan Air already operates two other A319-100s.

easyJet (U2, London Luton (LTN)) has said in a statement that it would be considering options for three additional A320-200s as a temporary solution until it places a larger order for new aircraft. If the options are converted, the new A320-200s would be delivered in spring 2014 in addition to the 15 remaining A320-200s on order. easyJet currently operates 139 A319-100s and 49 A320-200s.