A FLYBE flight was delayed yesterday for 15 minutes because the plane did not have a certificate of insurance.

The airline’s insurance was renewed at midnight on Monday and the new document had not been included in the essential papers folder that is kept in the cockpit.

Passengers on the first flight of the day to Southampton had to wait as the document was rushed to the plane.

The pilot apologised for the delay, which he described as ‘embarrassing’.

‘Flybe apologises to passengers for this morning’s slight delay on the Guernsey to Southampton service, which was caused by a paperwork delay,’ an airline spokesman said.

‘Every commercial aircraft in the UK needs to display its certificate of insurance in the cockpit but unfortunately, due to an administrative error, the certificate for the aircraft in question had not been included in the essential documents folder within the aircraft’s library.

‘The certificate was quickly reunited with the aircraft, which then set off for Southampton with a 15-minute delay.’

When asked about the pilot’s comment, the spokesman added: ‘Yes, it is true that he probably used slightly inappropriate language.’