FLYBE BECOMES EUROPE'S
LARGEST REGIONAL AIRLINE FOLLOWING ACQUISITION OF
BA CONNECT AND SLASHES FARES AT BIRMINGHAM
Deal sees Flybe take over key routes at Birmingham,
increase frequency and slash fares
From today, passengers are set to benefit from
lower fares, more routes and increased frequency
on Flybe services as the airline announces the
completion of its acquisition of BA Connect, the
regional airline business of British Airways.
In addition to the launch of new routes and destinations,
Flybe will take over many BA Connect routes with
significant price savings of an average of £19
per passenger.
The deal will have a sizeable impact on Flybe's
operations out of Birmingham as Flybe takes over
seven existing routes out of Birmingham, currently
operated by BA Connect.
In total, the deal brings the creation of 11 new
routes out of Flybe's regional bases and sees the
airline taking over 20 of the routes currently
operated by BA Connect.
With 152 routes, operating from 22 UK and 34 European
airports, Flybe will become Europe's largest regional
airline and will carry a higher proportion of business
passengers with new routes to key commercial centres
including Paris, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt and
Milan.
This latest news confirms Flybe's commitment to
the regions with more growth, more flights and
more investment.
Flybe plans to phase out all of the existing BA
Connect fleet as soon as possible and fast-track
completion of its £1.2bn investment programme
in new Bombardier Q400 and Embraer 195 aircraft
by 2009. Flybe will have a fleet of 82 aircraft,
which will be one of the youngest and most environmentally
sensitive fleets in the world. In line with
its environment policy, Flybe will by then have
reduced fuel consumption by over 50% per seat.
Says Mike Rutter, Chief Commercial Officer, Flybe: “Today's
announcement is not only great news for air travellers
in Birmingham but across the UK and Europe. Flybe's
passengers across the Midlands will now be able
to benefit from the airline's efficient and friendly
service at a price which provides outstanding value
on a wider selection of routes.
“Flybe remains firmly committed to serving Birmingham,
and the acquisition now enables us to build a bigger
and stronger airline which will allow us further
opportunities to develop routes, encourage further
business to the area and see the Birmingham hub
go from strength to strength. Customers will now
be able to turn to Flybe as their number one choice
for domestic, European city and French regional
flying.
To purchase flights visit Flybe.com.
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