Flybe lands at Heathrow boosting choice for passengers

In a milestone for Heathrow, Flybe - Europe’s largest regional airline – has become the first domestic carrier to begin operating at the UK’s hub since 2013. The move follows Heathrow’s introduction of a £10 reduction in domestic passenger charges in January as an effort to boost domestic connections at the airport.

With up to four daily services to Edinburgh and three to Aberdeen starting from just £29.99/£34.99 one-way, the new Flybe flights open up a huge network of onward global connections for travellers from Scotland as well as making it easier for inbound tourists and investors to visit Scotland’s capital and the Granite City. Flybe services operate from Heathrow’s award-winning Terminal 2: The Queen’s Terminal providing passengers with convenient connections onto Star Alliance’s network of 44 global destinations served directly from Heathrow, as well as convenient transfers onto flights from Flybe’s codeshare partners Emirates, Virgin, Etihad and Singapore Airlines in the nearby Terminal 3.

Flybe CEO Christine Ourmieres-Widener, said: “We are so pleased to confirm further our commitment to Scotland by offering even more flights to London with our two new routes from Edinburgh and Aberdeen to Heathrow’s Terminal 2: The Queen’s Terminal, giving passengers greater choice and also linking them with our range of codeshare partners through our ‘One Stop to the World’ approach.

“Passengers can, for example, fly onwards with Virgin Atlantic to Los Angeles or New York, or fly east with Singapore Airlines – all on one ticket from Edinburgh or Aberdeen. Early bookings show this is an increasingly important part of the booking profile for these two new routes and we look forward to adding even more codeshare partners shortly.

“Flybe is the UK’s leading regional airline, with more routes connecting local communities than any other carrier. Our new flights offer the best value for money for those flying between Scotland and Heathrow and mean we can now better serve our passengers in both Scotland and the South East.”

Heathrow Operations Director Derek Provan added: “Earlier this year, Heathrow reduced domestic passenger charges by £10 and it’s great to see the benefits of that coming through with Flybe’s new services to Aberdeen and Edinburgh boosting choice for our passengers.

“More airlines flying routes to Scottish airports means more flights, more competition and choice for families, and more visitors to Scotland. With Flybe operating from the award-winning Terminal 2, Scottish passengers and businesses now have direct access from Heathrow to over 180 global destinations including some of the fastest growing export markets around the world. We’re delighted to welcome them to the Heathrow family.”

Emphasising the role Heathrow plays in boosting communities and businesses across the UK, politicians from across the political divide have united in lauding Flybe’s new routes.

UK Government Aviation Minister Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon commented: “Flybe’s flights from Heathrow to both Edinburgh and Aberdeen will offer competition, choice and vital trading opportunities for people and businesses in Scotland. These routes are good news for Scotland, and for Britain as a whole, in delivering better regional connectivity to important global markets.”

Scotland Transport Minister, Humza Yousaf said: “It’s fantastic to see these new Flybe services from Edinburgh and Aberdeen to London get off the ground and I have no doubt they will prove popular with travellers. These flights will bring real benefits to business and leisure passengers by returning competition to the routes, as well as boosting Scotland’s connectivity by offering more options to access the huge range of onward destinations from Heathrow. I wish Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Heathrow Airports, as well Flybe, every success with this service.”

With Alex Salmond MP for Gordon adding: “It is crucial that the people of Aberdeen and the North East are conveniently connected. This trio of daily Flybe routes from Dyce will provide another option for travel and business, and will certainly be one I use on my weekly visits to Parliament. I look forward to joining my constituents on this new flight in enjoying the latest success in opening the North East to new opportunities."