Media reports suggest that this week Flybe will announce its intention to float ahead of listing on the London Stock Exchange.
It would not be the first time the airline has considered an IPO. As previously reported on ABTN the airline has considered such a move in the past, but market conditions have always frustrated the aim. British Airways holds 15% of Flybe, an investment which dates back to its disposal of BA Connect to Flybe, with the family trust of the late Jack Walker holding a majority of the shares.
Flybe was founded in 1979 as Jersey European and was acquired a year later by the Walkersteel Group, owned then by the Lancashire millionaire Sir Jack Walker. The airline changed its name to British European in 2000 and to Flybe two years later.
For more on Flybe, read "The rise and rise of Flybe" or click on the blue tag below to see ABTN's coverage over the past decade.