flybe. (2002) (Exeter) terminated its contract with Monarch Aircraft Engineering Limited (MAEL) on November 27, accusing the maintenance provider of unlawfully withdrawing services to the airline Flybe. has said in a press statement.

"Flybe are very disappointed by these events, which appear to have been undertaken without due consideration of our business, customers and operations, and with no legal justification," the regional airline said in a statement.

According to flybe., MAEL withdrew its maintenance services provided to the airline on November 23.

The maintenance provider responded saying that it had served a notice on its contract with flybe. in June 2018 already. Since then the parties have reportedly been negotiating a new agreement.

flybe. said that the disruption of the contract with MAEL had not jeopardised its operations as maintenance was performed in-house and contracted to other providers. MAEL provided line maintenance services for flybe.'s aircraft at Manchester International and Birmingham, GB. The carrier said it was willing to offer new jobs in its own MRO facilities at these airports to staff members who were laid off from MAEL due to the end of the agreement.

Since October 2018, MAEL has been owned by Greybull Capital LLP.