Flybe
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| Founded | 1979 (as Jersey European Airways) | |||
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| Frequent-flyer program | Rewards4all | |||
| Fleet size | 72 (+43 orders) | |||
| Destinations | 45 | |||
| Parent company | Rosedale (J.W.) Investments Limited | |||
| Headquarters | Jack Walker House Exeter International Airport Devon, United Kingdom |
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| Key people | Jim French (CEO) Jack Walker (Founder) Andrew Knuckey (CFO) Mike Rutter (CCO) Andrew Strong (COO) |
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| Website | www.flybe.com | |||
Flybe Limited (styled as flybe) is a British airline headquartered at the Jack Walker House at Exeter International Airport in Devon, England.[1] It operates over 180 routes between 65 European airports.[2] The airline's largest base is Southampton Airport and it has other large bases at Manchester Airport, Birmingham Airport and Belfast City Airport and 14 aircraft and crew bases across the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands and 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.[3]
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History
Flybe started operations on 1 November 1979 as Jersey European Airways (JEA), after taking over the operations of Intra Airways. Jersey European Airways was the brainchild of John Habin, a resident of Jersey and the majority investor in JEA. Having sold Aviation Beauport and other business interests, Habin established a few key routes from Jersey to the UK. Jersey European Airways was taken over in 1983 by Jack Walker's Walker Steel Group who were already the parent company of Blackpool based charter airline Spacegrand Aviation. The two airlines were run separately, with partially shared management, until their amalgamation within the Walker Aviation Group in 1985, under the Jersey European name.
The airline rebranded as 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 agreement in principle had been reached for Flybe to acquire BA Connect, with the exception of London City Airport services. The acquisition was completed in March 2007. The airline is owned by Rosedale Aviation Holdings (69%), Flybe staff (16%) and British Airways (15%) as a consequence of the acquisition of BA Connect. It had 3,000 employees at January 2008.[4] As per the CAA's April/May 2009 passenger statistics, Flybe is now the UK's largest domestic airline (26% of total UK domestic passengers that flew during April chose a Flybe-branded flight, 3% more than those who chose an easyJet-branded flight). It carried 451,413 domestic passengers during April 2009, excluding franchise flights operated by Loganair. This puts Flybe in pole position among the UK's domestic carriers, ahead of easyJet, British Airways, the BMI Group and Ryanair. During that period Flybe also became London Gatwick's leading domestic operator.[5] Chief Executive Officer Jim French was recognised in the 2009 Queens' Birthday Honours’ List with a CBE for his services to the UK airline industry.
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Acquisition of BA Connect
On 5 March 2007 Flybe completed the acquisition of the former regional airline business of British Airways. The purchase was first announced on 3 November 2006 with British Airways acquiring a 15% stake in the airline. The acquisition (which did not include BA Connect's London City Airport routes, which have been taken over by BA CityFlyer) has increased Flybe's route network in both the UK and continental Europe making Flybe Europe's largest regional airline.[6]
Loganair franchise agreement
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 will see Loganair aircraft flying in Flybe colours on 55 routes from Scotland.[7]
Destinations
Flybe operates short haul services to destinations throughout the United Kingdom, Ireland and continental Europe.
Logos
 Flybe (2002-present) |
 Jersey European (1991-2000) |
Fleet
As of July 2010, the Flybe fleet includes the following aircraft:[8]
| Aircraft | In service | On order |
|---|---|---|
| Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 | 58 | 8 |
| Embraer E-175 | 0 | 35 |
| Embraer E-195 | 14 | 0 |
| Total | 72 | 43 |
As of July 2010 the average age of the Flybe fleet was 3.9 years.[9]
Aircraft orders
- On 6 June 2005, Flybe placed an order for 14 Embraer E-195 aircraft plus options on an additional 12 aircraft. Flybe is the worldwide launch customer for the Embraer E-195. Delivery of the aircraft started in September 2006. The new aircraft were to replace Flybe's BAe 146 aircraft, completing the fleet rationalisation started in 2003 which also includes an order for up to 61 Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 aircraft (41 firm orders and 20 options).
- On 14 June 2005, Flybe converted four existing Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 options into firm orders bringing its fleet of Q400s to 45 aircraft when they are delivered.[10]
- On 1 September 2006, the airline received its first 118-seat Embraer 195, the launch customer of the product. Fitted with single Head-up Guidance System (HGS) and configured to offer single-class service, the aircraft is intended to replace the airline’s BAe 146s.
- In May 2007, the airline signed a deal for 15 Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 aircraft valued at $394 million, with options for a further 15. It is the world's largest Q400 operator and this order will increase its Q400 fleet to 60.[11]
- 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 will be delivered between September 2011 and March 2017.[12]
Previously operated
- BAC One-Eleven
- BAe 146
- Boeing 737-300 Leased
- Bombardier CRJ200
- de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter
- Embraer EMB 110 Bandeirante
- Embraer ERJ 145
- Fokker F27
- Hawker Siddeley HS 748
- Short 360
- Bombardier Dash 8 300
Inflight services
Flybe operates a buy on board programme offering food and drinks for purchase.[13]
- British Airways – Flybe codeshares on several routes, primarily those to and from Manchester, Birmingham, London Gatwick (Inverness & Aberdeen) and Edinburgh, following Flybe's takeover of BA Connect in March 2007.
- Etihad Airways – A codeshare between Flybe and Etihad became effective on the 13 November 2009. Flybe uses a codeshare on Etihad flights between the UAE carrier's Abu Dhabi base and Manchester, Paris Charles de Gaulle and Frankfurt while Etihad will codeshare on Flybe services between these three points and Birmingham, Edinburgh, Exeter, Glasgow-International, Inverness, the Isle of Man and Southampton. This agreement has extended Flybe's reach into new long-haul markets and opens up new travel options for its regional passengers.[14][15]
Flybe has interline partnerships with airlines including American Airlines, BMI, Continental Airlines, Emirates Airline, Ghana International Airlines, Korean Air, Singapore Airlines, TAP Portugal, US Airways and Virgin Atlantic. [17]
Controversial commercial practices
In order to avoid a £280,000 commercial penalty, Flybe has hired actors to fill aircraft. Failing to reach quotas of passengers, Flybe decided to boost passenger numbers by hiring 172 actors as "fake passengers"[18][19][20]. "It doesn't seem to be in the spirit of the agreement, but more than anything our concerns are about the unnecessary impact on the environment," said Norwich Airport managing director Jon Lenon. Friends of the Earth has called on the government to launch an investigation into the aviation industry following this practice of Flybe.[21]
Like other low-cost carriers (such as Ryanair or Easyjet), Flybe is accused of offering "free" tickets to boost passenger numbers and reach quota agreements signed with airports. For instance, on 27 March 2008, an offer appeared on the Flybe's website advertising "free flights to Dublin this weekend" and offering 200 free return tickets.
Awards
- November 2009: Most Environmentally and Socially Responsible Budget Airline’ award at The British Travel Awards 2009 (Second year running)
- October 2009: ICARUS Environmental Award at the Environmental Supplier Awards organised by the Institute of Travel and Meetings (ITM) UK and Ireland
- September 2009: European Airline MRO of the Year by AVIATION WEEK’s Overhaul and Maintenance (O&M) magazine.
- January 2009: Air Transport World 2009 Global Regional Airline of the year
- December 2008: Buying Business Travel ‘Green Diamond’ award for environmental commitment
- November 2008:
- Best Domestic Airline at the 16th Annual Scottish Passenger Agents Association (SPAA) Travel Awards
- Most Environmentally Responsible Budget Airline award at the British Travel Awards
- October 2008:
- Brussels Airport Environmental Award for 2008
- Number 1 in the Sunday Times 2008 Top Track 250 of privately-owned companies
- September 2008: Special Merit for Commitment to the Environment Award at the 2008 Budgie Awards
- July 2008: Jim French awarded 2008 Regional Leadership Award at the Global Airline Strategy Awards
- March 2008: Franco-British Chamber of Commerce Achievement of the Year Award
- June 2007: Flight International ‘Best Management Team 2007’ Award
Sponsorship
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- On 24 April 2006 Flybe announced a 3-year deal with Southampton Football Club for sponsorship of the main club and shirt. On 11 December 2008, it was announced that Flybe have extended the deal by an extra year. However, this sponsorship deal has now ended with the clubs decision to keep the clubs shirts free of sponsorship for its 125th anniversary. [22] Flybe are also the main and shirt sponsor of Exeter City Football Club and Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
- Flybe formerly sponsored Norwich City (2006–2008), Birmingham City (2003–2007) and Southampton F.C. (2006–2010)
- Flybe sponsor the weather bulletins on ITV Meridian, STV, ITV South West, Channel Television and UTV, along with the sport sections of the Manchester Evening News, The Express and Echo (Exeter), Echo (Cardiff), The Courier (Isle of Man) and The Examiner (Isle of Man). ITV weather bulletins are mostly sponsored by low-cost airlines with Bmi Baby and Jet2.com also sponsoring regional weather.
References
- ↑ "Contact Us." Flybe. Retrieved on 29 August 2009.
- ↑ Flybe Company Information
- ↑ Operating Licence
- ↑ "Directory: World Airlines". Flight International: p. 83. 2007-04-03.
- ↑ Flybe.com – News (Flybe now UK's number one domestic airline, 3 July 2009)
- ↑ announced that they had completed the acquisition of BA Connect
- ↑ "Flybe signs historic franchise deal with Loganair". Flybe Press Office. http://www.flybe.com/news/0801/14.htm. Retrieved 2008-01-14.
- ↑ UK CAA Aircraft Register – Dash 8-400 and E-195 aircraft
- ↑ Flybe Fleet Age
- ↑ Air International, July 2005
- ↑ Air Transport World 9 May 2007
- ↑ "Flybe announces a deal for up to 140 Embraer E Series Aircraft". Flybe Press Office. http://www.flybe.com/news/1007/20.htm. Retrieved 2010-07-20.
- ↑ "Shopping." Flybe. Retrieved on 18 November 2008.
- ↑ "Flybe signs new codeshare with Etihad Airways". Flybe Press Office. http://www.flybe.com/news/0911/05.htm. Retrieved 2009-11-05.
- ↑ "Flybe signs codeshare with Etihad". Business Traveller News. http://www.businesstraveller.com/news/flybe-signs-codeshare-with-etihad. Retrieved 2009-11-07.
- ↑ http://www.flybe.com/news/1007/13.htm
- ↑ Flybe.com – News (Flybe announces three new key interline partnerships, 15 May 2008)
- ↑ http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-549709/Airline-asks-actors-bogus-flights-bid-win-280-000-bonus.html
- ↑ http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/news/article.html?in_article_id=435912&in_page_id=2
- ↑ "Airline sought actors for flights". BBC News. 30 March 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/norfolk/7321306.stm. Retrieved 2 April 2010.
- ↑ http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/press_releases/government_must_urgently_i_01042008.html
- ↑ [1] 11 December 2008
External links
Media related to Flybe at Wikimedia Commons- Official website
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Airlines of the United Kingdom