25 Mar 2014 07:00
FLYBE GROUP PLC
('Flybe' or 'the Group')
Franchise agreement with Stobart Air serving new routes into London Southend Airport
Flybe announces that it has reached agreement with Stobart Air, a Stobart Group business, for a five year franchising agreement at London Southend Airport.
Under this new agreement, Stobart Air (formerly Aer Arann) will operate new routes from London Southend Airport in partnership with Flybe. Flybe has proven experience as a franchisor, most notably with Loganair who have 17 aircraft operating in Flybe colours.
The franchise operation will commence on 5th June with two 72 seat ATR aircraft in Flybe livery. Tickets go on sale via Flybe.com on 3rd April to a mix of destinations in Benelux and Northern Europe.
It is estimated that passenger numbers on the six routes will increase to approximately 200,000 per annum in 2015.
The franchise agreement has been structured to accommodate additional aircraft and routes if required.
Saad Hammad, Chief Executive Officer of Flybe, said:
"We are delighted to be extending the Flybe brand further into the South-East. Today's news is also further evidence of our commitment to providing true regional connectivity across the UK and we look forward to unveiling a major programme of new base and route development over the coming months."
Andrew Tinkler, Chief Executive of Stobart Group, said:
"This agreement represents an exciting expansion of our relationship with Flybe. London Southend Airport is an ideal access point for Flybe customers travelling to and from London and the South East and we look forward to welcoming them."
ENDS
25 March 2014
Flybe | Tel: +44 20 7457 2020 |
Saad Hammad, Chief Executive Officer | |
Andrew Knuckey, Chief Financial Officer | |
Niall Duffy, Head of Communications | |
Instinctif Partners | Tel: +44 20 7457 2020 |
Mark Garraway | |
Helen Tarbet |
Notes to Editors:
Flybe, Europe's largest regional airline - 179 routes serving 15 countries from 84 departure points, 35 UK/49 European airports* (all routes on sale Mar '14 - Oct '14); is the largest scheduled airline by air traffic movements at Belfast City, Birmingham, Cardiff, Exeter, the Isle of Man, Inverness, Manchester, Newquay and Southampton airports (UK CAA Feb '13 - Jan '14); operates 68 aircraft - 43 Bombardier Q400, 14 Embraer 195 & 11 E175; codeshares with BA, Air France, Etihad, KLM; and was Amsterdam Schiphol's Airline of the Year 2012 Europe.
* Flown under the Flybe brand (26 routes/13 airports exclusively served by Flybe's franchise partner, Loganair)