Flybe appoints former CityJet boss as CEO, announces new routes

(ShareCast News) - Budget airline Flybe has appointed former CityJet boss Christine Ourmieres-Widener as its chief executive officer with effect from 16 January.Ourmieres-Widener started her career in the maintenance department of Air France and between 2010 and 2015 she was the CEO of CityJet. Since then, she has been chief global sales officer for American Express Global Business Travel.Executive chairman Simon Laffin said: "We are delighted that Christine is joining Flybe at what a very exciting time for the company, as we transition to become an increasingly customer-driven business. Christine brings extensive experience of aviation and travel, as well as deep knowledge of the UK regional aviation market, which will be extremely valuable to Flybe."The company also announced that it will be heading to Heathrow for the first time next year, launching new routes between Scotland and the London airport, with more than 40 scheduled flights a week from Aberdeen and Edinburgh.The route expansion means that with effect from 26 March, Flybe will offer up to 18 flights a day between London and Edinburgh and 10 between London and Aberdeen.Laffin said: "The new routes to Heathrow complement the existing ones we operate to London City, and will benefit our business customers and customers in Scotland who want to connect with our long haul codeshare partners."At 0900 GMT, the shares were down 0.15 to 40.97p.