REGIONAL airline Flybe has blamed government hikes in airport departure taxes for a decision to axe 300 jobs.

The loss-making company, which operates from Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Inverness airports in Scotland, said the restructuring plan would achieve £35 million savings and help expansion plans.

It said 29 jobs are expected to go in Scotland, where it has 370 staff, with the majority of the cuts at its headquarters in Exeter, Manchester and Newcastle. None of the UK or European routes which it operates are expected to be affected.