Flybe (pronounced ) based in Exeter, England, is the largest independent regional airline in Europe. Flybe carry 8 million passengers a year between 81 airports across the UK and Europe, with over 210 routes across 15 countries. Their two hubs are Manchester & Birmingham airports but they also have a number of codeshares allowing connections to long haul fights from airports such as London Heathrow, Paris CDG, Dublin Airport and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. They are a member of the European Regions Airline Association. Flybe's parent company Flybe Group PLC (formerly known as Walker Aviation Limited) is listed on the London Stock Exchange.
The airline launched in 1979 as Jersey European Airways following the merger of Intra Airways and Express Air Services. In 1983 the airline was sold to Walker Steel Group, which also owned Spacegrand Aviation, and the two airlines were merged under the Jersey European name in 1985. Jersey European was renamed British European in 2000 (shortened to "BE"), and received its current name in 2002.
Video Flybe
History
Early years
Flybe started operations on 1 November 1979 as Jersey European Airways as a result of a merger of Jersey-based Intra Airways and Bournemouth-based Express Air Services, and was founded by John Habin, a resident of Jersey and the majority investor. After selling Aviation Beauport and other business interests, Habin established some key routes from Jersey to the UK, before selling the airline in November 1983 to Jack Walker's Walker Steel Group, which already owned Blackpool-based charter airline Spacegrand Aviation. The two airlines were then run separately, with partially shared management, until 1985 when they amalgamated under the Jersey European name, with the airline's headquarters moving to Exeter.
The airline became British European in June 2000, shortening this title to Flybe on 18 July 2002 and repositioning itself as a full-service, low-fare airline.
On 3 November 2006 it was announced that Flybe would buy BA Connect, except for that airline's services out of London City Airport. The takeover was complete in March 2007. The expanded airline's owners were Rosedale Aviation Holdings (69%), Flybe staff (16%) and - as a result of the BA Connect takeover - International Airlines Group (15%). The acquisition increased Flybe's route network in both the UK and continental Europe, making Flybe Europe's largest regional airline.
On 14 January 2008 it was announced that Flybe had signed a franchise agreement with Scottish airline Loganair, to commence on 26 October 2008 following the termination of Loganair's franchise agreement with British Airways on 25 October 2008. The agreement would see Loganair aircraft flying in Flybe colours on 55 routes from Scotland.
In 2008, in order to avoid losing a £280,000 rebate from Norwich Airport, Flybe advertised for "actors", as well as offering free return flights to Dublin on its website. As a result, the environmental group Friends of the Earth called on the government to launch an investigation into the aviation industry.
Chief Executive Officer Jim French was recognised in the 2009 Queen's Birthday Honours List with a CBE for his services to the airline industry.
Development since 2010
On 10 December 2010, Flybe floated an IPO on the London Stock Exchange, with trading in shares commencing on the same day. Full public release of shares followed on 15 December 2010. The share price was set at 295p, valuing the company at approximately £215 million, and raising £66 million for the company, half of which was to pay for fleet expansion.
On 23 May 2013, it was reported that Flybe had sold its slots at Gatwick airport to easyJet for £20m, and that the slots would be handed over to easyJet on 29 March 2014.
CEO and Chairman Jim French retired in August 2013, leaving the post of CEO to Saad Hammad, formerly of EasyJet airline, while Simon Laffin became Chairman.
By November 2013, Hammad had shaken up the operation, requesting the resignations of three top managers within six weeks of his arrival. Out of 158 routes flown at the time, over 60 did not cover their direct operating expenses and the costs of crew and aircraft.
On 23 April 2014, Flybe announced that it will launch domestic and international flights from London City from 27 October 2014 after signing a five-year deal with the Docklands Airport. The airline is expecting to carry around 500,000 passengers a year, with all 5 allocated aircraft being based around the Flybe network overnight.
In March 2014, it was announced that Flybe would undergo a major brand refresh. This new scheme included a new purple aircraft livery, new interior features and new uniforms.
British Airways sold most of its remaining stake in the airline in June 2014. It had been reduced to 5% by share issues.
In early 2015 it was announced that Flybe had negotiated a six-year agreement with SAS Scandinavian Airlines to fly 4 ATR 72-600 aircraft on their behalf, starting in October 2015.
On 4 March 2015, Flybe announced new routes from Cardiff Airport bringing the number of routes to eleven. Flybe also stated their intention to create a new base at Cardiff Airport and in Summer 2015, initially based 2 Embraer 195 aircraft there. Now alongside the Embraer jets is a Q400 aircraft operating selected routes from the airport.
On 10 November 2015, Flybe announced that it would base two Embraer 195 aircraft at Doncaster Sheffield Airport, starting new routes to Amsterdam, Berlin, Paris, Jersey, Alicante, Málaga, Faro and Newquay as of 27 March 2016. This announcement came on the same day that Flybe announced that they would be pulling flights from Bournemouth. Dublin was added in October 2016, taking over where Stobart Air pulled out.
On 26 October 2016, it was announced that Hammad would be standing down as CEO with immediate effect, and that consequently Flybe were beginning the process of finding a replacement.
On 21 November 2016, Flybe announced it was to open its first European base in Düsseldorf. In February 2017 this commenced with two aircraft alongside 60 pilots, cabin crew and engineers.
On 22 December 2016, Flybe started selling flights for 12 further destinations from London-Southend, in an extension to their existing franchise operation with Stobart Air.
Flybe and Loganair separately announced that their franchise agreement would terminate in October 2017. Flybe announced a partnership with Eastern Airways, ending Loganair's monopoly on Sumburgh - Aberdeen, Sumburgh - Edinburgh, Sumburgh - Glasgow, Stornoway - Glasgow and Kirkwall - Aberdeen flights. They also announced a new Glasgow - Manchester route. This had led to fears that the small markets in the Scottish Islands cannot support two carriers.
On 16 January 2017, former CityJet boss Christine Ourmieres-Widener, took over the role of CEO after Saad Hammad left in October 2016. Later in the year, Flybe started flying from London Heathrow Airport to Aberdeen International Airport and Edinburgh Airport taking over slots previously used by Virgin Atlantic Little Red.
On 22 February 2018, franchise partner Stobart Air confirmed interest in a takeover bid of 100% of Flybe for an undisclosed fee. However this bid was rejected by the carrier and Stobart scrapped its interest on 22 March 2018, causing share prices in the airline to drop by up to 25%.
Maps Flybe
Corporate affairs
Ownership and structure
Flybe is a public company, listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE: FLYB). Until November 2013, the main shareholder, with 48.1% of the shares, was Rosedale Aviation Holdings Limited, the corporate representative of the trustee of the Jack Walker 1987 Settlement, which was established by the late Jack Walker, who was involved in Flybe's early development. On 22 February 2018, franchise partner Stobart Air confirmed interest in a takeover bid of 100% of Flybe for an undisclosed fee. However this bid was rejected by the carrier and Stobart scrapped its interest on 22 March 2018, causing share prices in the airline to drop by up to 25%.
In the UK, Flybe's largest base is at Birmingham Airport and it has other large bases at Belfast, Manchester and Southampton airports, with a total of 14 crew and aircraft bases across the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. The company holds a United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority Type A Operating Licence permitting it to carry passengers, cargo and mail on aircraft with 20 or more seats. The Flybe Group includes Flybe Aviation Services (engineering and maintenance), Flybe Training Academy (engineering and flight crew training), Flybe UK (airline operations) and Flybe Europe, the holding company for all European operations, which previously consisted of Flybe Nordic.
Business trends
The trends for Flybe Group over recent years are shown below (as at year ending 31 March):
Joint ventures and franchises
Loganair was the first franchise partner for Flybe and operated a number of flights in Scotland and Ireland under a franchise agreement from 2008. Loganair operated these routes on the smaller Saab 340, Saab 2000, Dornier 328 and Twin Otter aircraft. Loganair aircraft wore the full Flybe livery during the time of the franchise. In 2016 it was announced that the agreement was to end on 31 August 2017 at which time Loganair would become an independent carrier.
In 2014 Flybe signed their second franchise agreement with Stobart Air and initially started operating European routes from Southend Airport. In 2015 Stobart Air began operating more flights on behalf of Flybe from Isle of Man Airport to Birmingham Airport, Manchester Airport, Liverpool Airport and Stansted Airport using two ATR 72 aircraft that were to be based on IOM. In 2017 Flybe and Stobart Air began operating additional services from Southend Airport using two Flybe Embraer 195 jet aircraft that were to be based there. This has now increased to three jets and these mainly operate longer European destinations. Later in 2018 Stobart Air will purchase these three Embraer jets that are currently on lease to Flybe.
On 11 January 2016, Flybe announced its third franchise deal with the Guernsey based airline, Blue Islands. This would see all Blue Islands flights operated under the Flybe name, and the Blue Islands aircraft livery replaced with the current Flybe livery from May 2016. This deal is however under investigation and could be potentially breaking local competition laws.
From 1 September 2017 Eastern Airways became a new franchise partner for Flybe taking over routes previously operated by Loganair from Aberdeen Airport, Glasgow Airport and Edinburgh Airport. This now meant both Flybe and Loganair were now in direct completion with each other. In January 2018 services to Sumburgh were being withdrawn, owing to the competition with Loganair and the route being unable to sustain two carriers. It was also announced that Loganair was withdrawing services from Glasgow to Manchester leaving Flybe as the sole operator on that route.
Flybe purchased Finncomm Airlines with Finnair in July 2011, and on 30 October 2011 rebranded the airline as Flybe Nordic. The joint venture operated its own routes along with franchise routes under a codeshare agreement for Finnair, operating under Flybe's BE-code. Flybe agreed to sell its 60% stake in Flybe Nordic in November 2014 for EUR1, in an attempt to reduce group costs. On 1 May 2015, Flybe Nordic began operating solely for Finnair as it is no longer a part of Flybe. Flybe Nordic is now known as Nordic Regional Airlines - Norra.
Sponsorship
Flybe are the main sponsor of Exeter City Football Club and also sponsor Exeter Chiefs with their branding featuring on both teams shirts. Flybe has also sponsored the weather bulletins on ITV Meridian, STV, ITV West Country, Channel Television, UTV, ITV Wales with Cardiff Airport and the sport sections of the Manchester Evening News, the Express & Echo (Exeter), the South Wales Echo (Cardiff), the Isle of Man Courier and the Isle of Man Examiner.
In the past, Flybe sponsored Norwich City (2006-2008), Birmingham City (2003-2007) Southampton (2006-2010) and Inverness Caledonian Thistle (2007-2010).
Destinations
Flybe operates short haul services to destinations throughout the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland and continental Europe.
Flybe codeshares with the following airlines under the 'One Stop To The World' program :
Fleet
Current Fleet
As of February 2018, the Flybe fleet consists of the following aircraft:
Fleet strategy and developments
Flybe operates a mixed fleet of turboprop and jet airliners, the majority being Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 turboprops. Flybe is the world's largest operator of the Q400.
The airline placed an order for 14 Embraer E-195 aircraft in June 2005, plus options on an additional 12 aircraft, making it the type's worldwide launch customer. This was followed by the conversion of 4 existing Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 options into firm orders, bringing its fleet of Q400s to 45 when delivered.
Flybe received its first 118-seat Embraer 195 in September 2006, and the aircraft began to replace its existing BAe 146s, completing the fleet rationalisation started in 2003. The E-195s were fitted with a Head-up Guidance System (HGS) and configured to offer single-class service.
In May 2007, the airline signed a deal for a further 15 Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 aircraft valued at $394 million, with options for a further 15, increasing its fleet of the type to 60.
On 20 July 2010, Flybe placed an order for 35 Embraer E-175 aircraft worth $1.3bn, with options for 65 more (value $2.3bn) and purchase rights for a further 40 (value $1.4bn). The 88-seat aircraft was originally planned to be delivered between July 2011 and March 2017, with the first two aircraft actually arriving in November 2011.
In September 2014 Flybe reached an agreement with Embraer to cancel 20 orders for E-175 jets, and defer delivery of the other 4 until 2018. Simultaneously Republic Airways placed an order for 50 E-175 jets, and agreed to lease 24 of their Q400 aircraft to Flybe.
In June 2017, Flybe announced that due to a loss of near to £20m, it will retire six Bombardier Q400 aircraft from 2017.
Flybe are currently evaluating what their future fleet of aircraft will comprise of. They have been in contact with several manufacturers including Embraer, ATR and Bombardier Aerospace to try and find the best fit for the airline going forward. An announcement on the future fleet is expected in 2018.
Historical fleet
Flybe has in the past operated a wide variety of aircraft, including:
- BAe 146
- Boeing 737-300
- Bombardier CRJ200
- Britten-Norman Islander
- de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter
- Douglas DC-3 - two inherited from Intra Airways in 1979, both sold in 1980.
- Embraer EMB 110 Bandeirante
- Embraer ERJ 145
- Fokker F27
- Handley Page Dart Herald - inherited from Express Air Services in 1979 and returned to Express Air Services in 1980 when it left the partnership.
- Short 330
- Short 360
- Bombardier Dash 8 300
- Vickers Viscount
Services
Frequent-flyer programmes
Flybe uses the Avios frequent-flyer programme, which is also used by British Airways, Iberia and Aer Lingus. The programme is operated by the IAG subsidiary Avios Group.
Flybe also operates a loyalty programme, Spend&Fly, for Flybe Credit Card holders.
Service concept
Flybe employs allocated seating on all flights and passengers have the option to choose a seat online in advance for a fee unless they purchased an "All In" or "Get More" ticket. "All In" ticket holders receive a complimentary drink and snack, access to Flybe Executive Lounges, free prebooked seating, priority check-in and two free hold bags. "Get More" ticket holders get a free reserved seat and a free hold bag. For Economy passengers, the airline operates a buy on board programme, called "Café Flybe", offering food and drinks for purchase and have the biggest and broadest range of buy on board products of any airline in the market. Onboard sales are an important part of the airline's ancillary revenue.
Accidents and incidents
- On 23 February 2017, Flybe flight BE 1248, a Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 (G-JECP), had an incident when landing at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. The aircraft was inbound from Edinburgh. On touchdown, the right main gear of the plane collapsed, leading to damage of the aircraft's right wing structure. No one was injured.
- On 10 November 2017, Flybe flight BE 331, a Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 (G-JEDU) was scheduled to fly from Belfast City to Inverness. The plane had to divert to Belfast International due to technical issues where it landed on its nose, with the front gear retracted. One passenger sustained a minor injury.
References
Citations
Bibliography
- Wright, Alan J. "Independent Survivor". Air International, July 2001. Vol 61 No 1. pp. 48-52.
- Wickstead, Maurice J (2014). Airlines of the British Isles since 1919. Air-Britain. ISBN 978-0-85130-456-4.
External links
Media related to Flybe at Wikimedia Commons
- Official website
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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