15 Jun 2012 07:00
Flybe Group plc
("Flybe" or "the Group")
Extension of Contract Flying Agreement With Brussels Airlines
Flybe, Europe's largest regional airline, is pleased to announce that it has extended its contract flying agreement with Brussels Airlines to provide a further two Bombardier Q400 aircraft, complete with pilots, cabin crew and engineering support. These will join the two Q400s already provided to the airline in an identical contract flying agreement announced in March 2012, taking the number of Flybe aircraft operating on behalf of Brussels Airlines to four.
The third aircraft will commence contract flying operations from the beginning of September 2012 and the fourth will begin operations at the start of the IATA Winter Season on Sunday 28 October. The contract will run for a period of two years.
The aircraft will carry the livery of Brussels Airlines but will operate under the Flybe Airline Operating Certificate (AOC), will be crewed by Flybe pilots and cabin crew and maintained by Flybe engineers.
The four aircraft operating for Brussels Airlines, when combined with those undertaking similar work for Finnair, will mean that by the end of 2012, circa 25% of Flybe's fleet under management will be deployed under contract flying arrangements.
Commenting on the agreement, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Jim French said:
"We are delighted to have signed this further agreement, which strengthens the good working relationship we have with Brussels Airlines. That we have been invited to provide further contract flying services to such a well respected European operator is, we believe, testament to our established and growing reputation for the provision of high quality regional aviation services.
"Brussels Airlines is 45% owned by Lufthansa Group, for whom Flybe already performs a significant amount of maintenance work on its regional fleet. Flybe's independence has enabled it to enter into a range of commercial relationships with major airline groups such as Lufthansa, Air France/KLM, IAG and Finnair."
15 June 2012
Enquiries:
Flybe | Tel: +44 20 7457 2020 |
Jim French, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer | |
Andrew Knuckey, Chief Financial Officer | |
College Hill | Tel: +44 20 7457 2020 |
Mark Garraway | |
Helen Tarbet |