Flybe Announces Major Expansion Of Services From East Midlands Airport

Flybe, Europe’s largest regional airline and the UK’s Number One domestic airline, has confirmed a significant expansion of its services from East Midlands Airport with five brand new winter routes to Amsterdam, Paris CDG, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Jersey supported by a decision to base two aircraft at the airport for the first time.

Flybe is finalising the schedules and frequencies in discussion with the airport, for travel from October 28th 2012 through to March 30th, 2013. Seats for these five new routes, plus Flybe’s existing Belfast City service, will be available for booking at www.flybe.com with one way fares from £24.99 including taxes and charges.

The expansion follows last week’s announcement by the airline of a significant repositioning under the strapline ‘Making flying better’ and underlines Flybe’s commitment to serving the UK regions with high-frequency, punctual and great value air services.

The new routes to Amsterdam and Paris CDG will enable passengers from the East Midlands to access flights to the rest of the world through two of Europe’s biggest international hub airports and will provide a viable and popular long-haul alternative to London Heathrow. In parallel, the new routes to Edinburgh, Glasgow and Jersey, will mean that passengers from the East Midlands continue to have a convenient local addition to Flybe’s already popular services from Birmingham to the Channel Islands and to the two key Scottish cities.

Commenting on Flybe’s expansion, Andrew Strong, Managing Director of Flybe UK says: “We are pleased to announce this major expansion at East Midlands Airport as a key part of our winter programme that goes on sale today. We already serve 35 UK airports and are Europe’s biggest regional airline, so it makes sense for us to add these additional five key European and UK services at the start of our 2012-13 Winter Schedule.
Ken O’Toole, Chief Commercial Officer, Manchester Airports Group (M.A.G.), said: “We welcome Flybe’s commitment to East Midlands Airport and this major expansion underlines East Midlands’ position as a leading regional airport in the UK. The new services will provide increased connectivity for both business and leisure passengers, will open up additional access to long-haul destinations via the major hubs at Paris and Amsterdam and is a reflection of the airline's commitment to the region and the businesses that operate.”

Adds Mr Strong: “This announcement follows hot on the heels of the release of Flybe’s full winter programme with 4.8 million seats on sale and a choice of up to 2,760 flights a week on a comprehensive selection of 105 routes. Our five new routes from East Midlands airport, added to our existing Belfast City service, are an important part of our ongoing commitment to making flying better for the UK regions.”

For details of schedule at www.flybe.com